Batman Comics

Happy Wednesday, Bat-fans! It’s a great week for new comics, we get some really fun things to read today. In related news, San Diego Comic-Con is rapidly approaching and the costume making is going quite well. Now I just have to be patient and wait for the organizers to post the panel schedule! Is anyone who reads this planning to be there? Leave a comment and let me know! Now, here’s what I found in my pull file this week:

Batman Incorporated 2 – I was very into issue 1, and I’m sure that Morrison and Burnham will continue to provide excellent Bat-stories with gorgeous art. Burnham teased on Twitter today that we get some back-story for the Talia/Bruce relationship, please tell me I’m not the only one hoping for some Naked Bruce Wayne time!!

For those of you wondering if Bruce was Batman yet when Damian was conceived, you’ll find out in just a few short hours!

— Chris Burnham (@TheBurnham) June 27, 2012

Batman: The Dark Knight 10 – This title has been kind of all over the place, with art that’s sometimes awesome and sometimes less so, and writing that’s been kind of uninspiring. Today Gregg Hurwitz takes over the writing with a new story arc featuring Scarecrow as the villain. The problem that Batman: The Dark Knight has had all along is that it doesn’t know what distinguishes it from all the other Bat-titles, so if this is their way of moving towards a more horror-themed comic, I think that’s a really good idea.

Justice League 10 - Who has two thumbs and can’t remember anything about Justice League 9? This girl! I even went back and read a summary of the issue (thanks gothamspoilers.com) and still have no idea what’s going on. It’s a great comic, but maybe my attention has been a little too dedicated to making the Bat-dress…

Teen Titans 10 - It feels too early for another Titans book, but that’s cool, I’m into anything that involves Tim Drake and dinosaurs! This week we get more info about Kid Flash’s background, and Bunker asks Red Robin what the deal is with their missing teammate Skitter; the Titans are definitely keeping busy! I had to share this cover for those dinosaurs I mentioned, but I love it for another reason too: I hope it’s the first in a long line of pictures I can tag “Kid Flash Outruns His Uniform.” This is by Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund and Andrew Dalhouse.

Happy Wednesday, Bat-fans! Once again it’s been longer than I’d like between updates, but we do what we can. Despite not sharing my pull file last week or the week before I did read my comics, and love the Court of Owls storyline. I’m trying not to speculate too much about who’s behind it, but it’s been fun seeing theories online. What do you think will happen this week, and who do you think is really in charge of the Court of Owls? Leave a comment and let me know!

For the record, on April 18th I picked up Batman 8, Birds Of Prey 8, Catwoman 8, Justice League 8, Nightwing 8 and Red Hood and the Outlaws 8 (yes, I’m still buying it…) It was a busy week! Then on April 25th I read Dark Knight 8 and Teen Titans 8. Today is also a great day for Batman comic readers, here’s what I’ll be buying after work today:

Batwing 9 – Issue 8 came with some startling realizations about Batwing’s current nemesis Massacre, and I wonder how that will tie in to the Court of Owls storyline today. Perhaps there’s no connection at all, the Court may just swoop in and disrupt everything in this issue! Either way, with art by Marcus To we’re in good hands and I’m sure we’ll finally see some background detail in the art, what a relief.

Detective Comics 9 – The Court of Owls comes to Detective Comics as well! Batman has to protect one of the Talons’ targets, Jeremiah Arkham, which I guess means he’s back in charge of Arkham Asylum? That’s a far stretch from where we last saw him before the relaunch, when he was Black Mask (and just as villainous as the name suggests). I’m excited to find out what happened and what Jeremiah’s up to now!

Earth Two 1 – This new series opens up an alternate universe, where we meet Golden Age heroes Jay Garrick (Flash) and Alan Scott (Green Lantern). I got pretty confused just trying to figure that much out, so I hope James Robinson writes it to be a good first-issue introduction for those of us who started reading comics within the last few years and aren’t well-versed in DC history. Artwork by Nicola Scott, I’m not familiar with her work but it’s always nice to have another female artist in the mix!

Teen Titans Annual #1 – I don’t understand why there’s a random “annual” issue (well, maybe not so random) or why it costs $4.99 (most comics are $2.99) but surprise, I got this anyways. Teen Titans is good stuff, so I’ll go along for the ride.

World’s Finest 1 – Huntress and Power Girl from Earth Two are stranded in Earth One. How did they get here? Why can’t they go back? What will they do, what are they like, what do they want? I have so many questions! I’m also definitely excited that this comic is focused on two heroines, and I like the subversive aspect – instead of the classic World’s Finest team-up (Batman, Superman, and Robin) we have Power Girl (Superman’s cousin) and Huntress (Helena Wayne). There’s potential here! I really enjoy the cover, by George Perez and Hi-Fi (yes, really).

Good evening Gotham! Once again real life got in the way of my Batman time, it’s just not fair how that happens. Not only did I not get to write about last week’s comics, I didn’t even get to read them! Hopefully that doesn’t become the new normal, or I’ll have to realign priorities … who needs a day job, anyways? Just because Batman is also CEO of Wayne Enterprises doesn’t mean I can’t quit my job to focus on reading comics, right? So here’s what’s waiting for me:

Batman: The Dark Knight 7 – It’s a fun comic, what else do we need? We’re still fighting Bane and his new version of Venom, which Batman just got over thanks to some Super help. Now he’s off to find Flash and save him from a grisly end, while also tracking down more information about that mysterious white rabbit lady (has she done anything other than run around being mysterious?).

Teen Titans 7 – The Titans head to N.O.W.H.E.R.E. Headquarters (how do they find it?) to rescue Evil Superboy, and presumably drop the ‘evil’ on the way home. Overall this comic still feels like it’s in the ‘getting started’ stages, rather than being fully involved in an adventure, but I’m not complaining. I actually really enjoy extended team-coming-together stories, and it’s great to see these young heroes get to know each other.

Batwing 8 – Massacre’s hunt for former African superheroes has brought him to Gotham City, with Batwing hot on his heels. I’m looking forward to seeing how Batwing interacts with our favourite Gothamites (Batgirl, Robin, and Nightwing), and also to the big reveal about who Massacre is behind the mask.

Detective Comics 8 – Last issue we had a big showdown in Penguin’s Iceberg Lounge, and Batman rescued his girlfriend (I think?) Charlotte from icy doom. I’m feeling surprisingly lacklustre about this issue, and I want to see more detective work, but I know I’ll enjoy it once I start reading. There’s also a second feature with art by Szymon Kudranski, who drew the Penguin book that I liked so much. Here’s the cover, by Tony Daniel, I love the smoke (fear gas?!) and how Batman looks like he’s ready to just jump off the page.

Good evening Gotham! It’s kind of a slow week for Batman comics, only two in my pull file today, but I’m okay with that. I feel like I need some time to think about everything that’s going on lately and really enjoy the different characters and storylines – this Court of Owls thing is so exciting! Here’s what I have today:

Batman: The Dark Knight 6 – Issue 5 of Batman: The Dark Knight ended on quite a cliffhanger, with Superman taking on a drug-crazed Batman, so I’m definitely going into it with anticipation and interest. This is the make-or-break issue, after reading it I’ll decide if I want to keep getting this comic. I’m pretty into the Court of Owls crossover, so really all issue 6 has to do is not mess up. Here’s hoping!

Teen Titans 6 – The Titans have to save Kid Flash! I love these issues, where it’s just the crew having adventures and doing their thing, not part of any big event or apocalypse. I hope to see Red Robin interact with Superboy more, they’re so cute together. Take a look at the cover, by Brett Booth and Norm Rapmund, I really enjoy the shattered glass and the look on Red Robin’s face.

Happy Wednesday, my fellow Bat-fans! After a long day working at Wayne Enterprises I’m always excited for new comicbook day. Here’s what’s in my Pull File:

Batman: The Dark Knight 5 – Why am I still reading this comic? Mostly because I want to know what’s up with the white rabbit lady. Every time Dark Knight comes out I comment that I’m not that into it, haven’t connected, and yet I continue buying it. We’ll see how long that continues – Issue 6 will be A Time Of Reckoning for a few titles in my pull file. Anyways, Batman’s been encountering bad guys who are all hopped up on a Venom-type compound that makes them really big and crazy, and in this issue it seems like he gets a dose of that himself. This might actually be great – I like a Batman who’s even bigger and crazier than usual!

I, Vampire 5 – I know what you’re thinking. Why is she reading a non-Batman comic, and more importantly, telling me about it? I don’t know anything about I Vampire, but apparently Batman’s involved in this issue and on the cover of issue 6, so I’ll check it out.

Justice League 5 – This one I am excited for, I’ve quite enjoyed Justice League so far. We’re still watching the team come together, with Wonder Woman and Aquaman showing up last issue, so now that the gang’s all here I’m excited to see what they do. They’re going to be fighting Darkseid, who I don’t really know anything about. I wonder why Batman isn’t on the cover, maybe he’s not really featured in this issue? We’ll find out!

Teen Titans 5 - Similar to Justice League, the Titans now all know each other and are starting to work and fight together instead of against each other. We still get the goodness that is Evil Superboy, and I’ve got all sorts of ideas about how Red Robin (Tinkerbell!) can lure Kon over to the good side. Starting with cookies, ending with nekkid superhero time, you know what I mean. I like Kid Flash on the cover, he looks like he’s having fun:

Good evening Gotham! It’s an in-between week for comics, so there are no new Batman books to talk about today. That gives me a chance to share some favourite (love it) and not-so-favourite (livid)  moments from recent issues. Here we go!

Justice League 3, by Geoff Johns, Jim Lee and Scott Williams, gave us this page scoring points for love it. I enjoy stories about people from other places coming to our world, and seeing Wonder Woman getting to know the better parts of America is so much fun. Somehow I always knew she’d go for ice cream.

I love Wonder Woman’s kick-ass attitude! There’s a great Batman moment a bit later on in the issue, as the Justice League fights demons that are attacking the planet.

Vampire Batman, telling Green Lantern how to use his ring? How could I not love it?

Next up is Teen Titans 3, by Scott Lobdell, Brett Booth and Norm Rapmund. @VenPixel pointed out a livid moment in the issue, when Kid Flash cracks a four-digit code to unlock a door. I’m not an expert, but I don’t think the switches on the control panel could keep up with his Flash-enhanced typing skills (see ‘switch debouncing‘)!

Silly speedster, keypads are for humans. Another thing in Teen Titans that makes me livid is this scene, in which Red Robin is disguised as an old man ‘riding the rails’ to accompany Skitter across the country. When he reveals his superhero identity to Bunker, there’s a moment when Tim’s face is entirely bare – anyone as paranoid as Tim wouldn’t allow that.

Why isn’t he wearing the domino mask under the old man face? Wow, that was a weird sentence. I liked the comic overall, but I feel like they’ve been too lax with Tim going around unmasked. If we accept the idea that a tiny little mask protects his identity, we have to also assume he’ll be extremely diligent about wearing it.

Last for tonight we have Batman 3, by Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion. I haven’t really been talking in detail about storylines, but I definitely love the current story in Batman. ‘The Court of Owls’, a group of men who have been “ruling Gotham from the shadows since colonial times” attempted to kill Bruce Wayne. Bruce turns to Alfred for help, and Alfred shares this story about Bruce’s great, great grandfather Alan Wayne, and his terrible fear of owls.

I love the idea that Alfred’s father was butler to the Wayne family before him! And how he tries to drug Bruce with “medicinal” tea, now that’s a butler! The art is also beautiful, on this page I especially like the top panel (we’re inside the Batman cowl, watching Bruce and Alfred) and the use of colour.

That’s it for me! It’s been fun taking a love it or livid look at comics – I might do it again! Let me know what you think of these or any other Batman comics in the comments, and have a great night.

Hello and Happy Wednesday! I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the dull grey November weather. I took a break from comics over the past week, I had been feeling much less excited and inspired to read and write about the Bat-verse. Is anyone else feeling this way? I’m not sure if it’s because Flashpoint and the relaunch used up all my excitement and now things are calming down, or because I’ve got real life taking up my metaphorical spoons, but it’s probably a combination of both. So here’s what I got last week and this week, I’d love to hear what you think about these or any other comicbooks in the comments!

November 16

Batman 3 – Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion continue to deliver excitement and amazing comic art in the central Batman title! DC has been promising a far-reaching storyline that gets into the history of Gotham City and Batman’s place within it, and this issue is the starting point. I can’t wait!

Birds of Prey 3 – Poison Ivy joins the team! That really emphasizes the blurring line between heroes and villains in this book – I enjoy the fact that all four women on the team have checkered histories and aren’t easy to fit into any one category. Seems almost like real life, you know?

Nightwing 3 – Dick Grayson goes to Chicago with Haly’s Circus, while he works to solve Mr Haly’s murder and decide what to do with his own future. Tom Waits says things will be better in Chicago, maybe he’s right! (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, go buy Bad As Me, it’s an amazing album and I’m pretty sure Batman would like it too).

Red Hood and the Outlaws 3 – I’m still giving this series a chance, but I’m not very optimistic. This issue delves into the team’s pasts, and it’s possible that Red Hood and Arsenal can learn how not to be sexist jerks, but that doesn’t save us from the writer and artists’ choices in how they represent Starfire. Maybe she can develop a bit more agency? I know this will all end in disappointment.

Justice League 3 – Introducing Wonder Woman! There was some controversy over Green Lantern’s reaction to her appearance, but I’ll read the issue before coming to any conclusions. Personally I like the slow build-up of the team, unlike some people who wanted to see all the Justice League members in the first issue.

Catwoman 3 – Will the Bat-sex continue? We’ll find out! It sounds like Catwoman ends up in a hostage situation, and given how focused she is on being independent and controlling her own destiny, I doubt that she’ll be very happy about it! Guillem March’s art continues to look fantastic, his style really captures how devastating Catwoman’s claws can be. Take a look at the awesome cover art for this issue:

November 23

Batman: The Dark Knight 3 – I still haven’t got a good handle on this title – how is this different from the main Batman book? The other Bat-titles all have their own special aspects (Batman & Robin is all about that father/son dynamic and how they work together; Detective Comics is about his detective work, etc). I’m going to re-read the first two issues before starting #3 and hopefully that will give me some sense of what makes Batman: The Dark Knight special.

Teen Titans 3 – Now, this one I really have been looking forward to. Not only do we have the fabulous Tim as Red Robin (but I really want to start calling him Tinkerbell, with feathers like those), we also meet a new Titan – Bunker. Apparently he’s out as gay from the first issue, and I’m always glad to see more queer representation in comics – as long as he’s also a fully-formed character beyond his sexual orientation. This could be just the encouragement that Red Robin and Superboy need to bring their love out in the open! Or maybe that’s just my own personal Bat-verse. Here’s the cover, by Brett Booth and Norm Rapmund:

One final thought – I’d really love to see DC even out the release dates of their Bat-family titles. Some weeks I get 5 or more comics while other weeks there are only one or two. What’s the deal DC? Does anyone else find this odd, or should I just get over it?

Writer: Scott Lobdell

Artist: Brett Booth and Norm Rapmund

Date: Dec 2011

I quite enjoyed Teen Titans 2! So much so that I wanted to take a couple minutes to share my favourite moment with each of the main characters from the issue. Be warned, there are definite spoilers below, and you really should go get a copy of this comicbook, it’s a lot of fun!

First of all, our most fabulous flying friend Tim Drake, aka Red Robin. Check him out here in his “civilian” clothes — he’s not exactly shying away from supporting the superhero community, even when he’s not in full superhero gear! (remember, click the pictures to embiggen)

Then we have Superboy. It seems that he’s being held by the shadowy Government agency N.O.W.H.E.R.E. and made to capture other meta-human teenagers in order to earn his own freedom. Is it wrong that I kind of like evil slave Superboy? Probably. But look how hot he is!

One of those captive teenage metas is Kid Flash, and he’s really living up to his name. Here we see how he escapes from the clutches of N.O.W.H.E.R.E. – I like his attitude!

Towards the end of the book, Red Robin is in trouble and we have an excellent scene where Wonder Girl (Cassie Sandsmark) saves the day! I don’t buy Tim’s crush on Cassie, in my mind his heart belongs to Superboy (or Batman), but it’s always excellent to see the female superhero saving the male one! With Wonder Girl I really feel like I’m coming in at the middle of the story – I don’t know who she is, how she got her powers, how she’s connected to Wonder Woman, or really much of anything about her other than her kick-ass attitude. That’s actually been a lot of fun, I enjoy getting to know her a piece at a time and I’m definitely going to keep an eye on her in future issues. Plus, what an awesome costume!

Good evening and happy new comics day, Gotham City! You may have noticed that things have been a little quieter than usual around here lately, and you would’ve been right. There’s a lot going on in this Bat-fan’s life right now, and so for the next few weeks I won’t be updating as often as I’d like. But don’t worry, I’ll be back soon, and hopefully in the interim we’ll have a Green Lantern feature and maybe some other interesting things for you to enjoy. Anyways, it’s a short list today but these are two comics that I’m definitely looking forward to reading!

Teen Titans 2 – The opening issue of this series started bringing the team together, and my favourite parts were when Tim showed how awesome he is. Today I understand Superboy will show up, and so his romance with Red Robin can commence! I’m also hoping to get to know Kid Flash a bit better; so far he seems impulsive and quite young (as expected), that gives him a lot of room to grow over the course of the series.

Batman: The Dark Knight 2 – Issue 1 gave us a dramatic Arkham Asylum breakout and ended with Batman confronting Two-Face, so I’m sure issue 2 will be action-packed and full of the Bat-action we all enjoy. I really like the art style, I found that the fight scenes were easy to follow and Batman looks great. Although I wasn’t the biggest fan of this series prior to the relaunch, I’m feeling pretty good about how things are going right now. With a cover like this one, by David Finch and Richard Friend, we can’t go wrong!

Hello everyone, hope you’re having a great New Comicbook Day! I won’t actually get to read these until the weekend but anticipation is always fun, and I have to say I’m still reeling a bit from last week’s disappointments and DC’s response (the ratings have nothing to do with it) so a couple extra days to cool down won’t hurt. Here’s what’s going on in the Bat-verse today:

Batman: The Dark Knight 1 – I enjoyed the previous incarnation of this series, and hope that with the relaunch it’s a bit more consistent and easy to follow from issue to issue. David Finch’s writing and art are both great, but I wonder how this book will fit in with the rest. What aspects of Batman’s work and life will we see here that we aren’t getting somewhere else?

Teen Titans 1 – Titans together! I’ve been craving some Tim-time, and I’m quite looking forward to getting to know a younger version of him. Also, there had better be some Tim/Kon romance in here, Superboy is super-hot! If Bats and Cats can get it on, so can Red Robin and Superboy, so come on DC writers, let’s see it! Plus, swan wings; everyone loves the swan wings.