Now... onto the main event.
Like the last Comic Review post, I'll be focusing again on this week's comic goodness (which are also featured on the aforementioned podcast btw), and there are lots of good titles to pick up now. As many of you have noticed, I've been talking about Batman a lot since I started this site (what can I say? He's my favorite character after all), but that's about to change... because BLACKEST NIGHT has finally begun this month! With this week's Green Lantern issue, we start down a road where heroes fall and the dead shall rise... and nothing will ever be the same in the DC Universe afterwards. As such, we begin the comic review process with what is arguably the biggest comic event of 2009. How so, you all say? Well, look before you and prepare to be mesmerized by this visually striking piece of cover art.
Green Lantern #43
Written By: Geoff Johns
Illustrated By: Doug Mahnke
The picture says it all... IT HAS BEGUN. I've been waiting for this moment ever since DC teased audiences that "The Dead Shall Rise" in 2009. Green Lantern # 43 is the prologue to Blackest Night - the final act of the Green Lantern Saga Trilogy that began all the way back with Hal Jordan's successful return in Green Lantern: Rebirth and followed up by a light charging war experience that was the Sinestro Corps War. Final Crisis left a lot of destruction and death on its wake, but it will hardly compare to what will transpire in the months to come. Believe me, everything you've read before this is just an appetizer to satiate your hunger. The main course is ready to be served, and death is on the menu tonight.
William Hand has always been obsessed with the power of death ever since he was a little boy. He hears it, worships it, and begs for its dark embrace to engulf him into an eternal sleep... yet he cannot escape the illuminating light shining down on him - a light that belongs to the Green Lantern Corps. His entire criminal career has been wrought with failures and strange occurrences, but that was only a small part of the bigger picture. No, destiny has bigger plans for the man known as Black Hand, and his relationship with the dead is about to become much deadlier... at the expense of the entire universe.
I'll be straight with you guys - you HAVE TO PICK UP this issue if you're seriously considering collecting this crossover event. I myself wasn't planning to, but the cover and story sold me right away after reading a couple of pages. This issue, dare I say it, is one of the most disturbing and excellent stories I've read in quite a while. Black Hand - a guy who was a B-Lister Green Lantern rogue back in the day, is now somebody you can both love, fear, and get creeped out over thanks to his new status quo. This issue is definitely all about him, yet it's also about the establishment of the Black Lantern Corp, and how the first member gets inducted is just... Awesome. Never have I witnessed a tale that could really get my skin crawling but make me fascinated at the same time other than this. Again...Awesome.
All of this could not have been possible without the powers of Geoff Johns. The guy knows how to write so damn well it gives me a headache sometimes just trying to keep up with everything that's been going on! I haven't seen too much of his other works, but artist Doug Mahnke really captures the eerie and morbid atmosphere of this issue so well that it's too good not to like at all.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - We really have to hand it to Geoff Johns - he's the man who redefined Green Lantern and established the book as a landmark DC title that anyone can pick up and get hooked on right away. I know people will agree with me that we're going to have our money's worth here with Blackest Night. It's really going to be a big event, and there's no way it will exempt the heroes of the DCU from being affected by it. I'm trying to avoid collecting multiple titles and crossovers books for this event, yet this book, the flagship GL book, speaks out to me and wins my vote. If you thought Blackest Night # 0 was something, this issue will kick things into high gear. It's pretty much self-contained and serves as a stand alone prologue for what's to come. All that has occurred was just the tip of the iceberg... the real seeds of tragedy begin next week. Watch out for it.
Score - 10/10
Next up, we have more Batman!
Batman # 688
Written By: Judd Winick
Illustrated By: Mark Bagley
As previewed in a couple of posts before, the first issue of Batman featuring Dick Grayson as a full-fledged Caped Crusader is finally here! Writer Judd Winick is paired together with former Spider-Man artist Mark Bagley, who joins the bat-veteran for a four issue arc that will test the former Nightwing's stint as the new protector of Gotham. How does one get over his predecessor's shadow? That's what Batman: Reborn is all about, and we're about to find out how messy things can get for the new Dark Knight.
After assuming the mantle of the Bat, Dick Grayson has just begun his career as Gotham's new Caped Crusader. His latest endeavors haven't gone unnoticed by the public eye, as he has returned the general populace to a sense of complacency. Many criminals as a result are bewildered by the Dark Knight's reemergence, including known batfoes Penguin and Two-Face, who don't hide their frustrations and concerns over the matter. However, one of them finds out something interesting about "Batman", and it's a revelation that could spell trouble for the Dick later on.
I don't know what Judd Winick is smoking, but he sure as hell knows his stuff and how to deliver a great story and keep up the pace with this title! I'm pretty surprised by how smooth and natural things felt, especially with the transition Dick made from his Nightwing persona to accepting the new responsibilities he has. As the story unfolds, we see him dive into action almost immediately, making a statement and adjusting to the new role while coping with the numerous difficulties by becoming the Batman (such as tolerating the costume - a running gag that has carried over from Batman and Robin apparently, hehe). Fresh new starts like these only makes the title more accessible to new readers, and while we all miss Bruce Wayne under the cape and cowl, having him gone from the spotlight means we're going to see new dynamics and changes come into play. It's almost like Captain America when Bucky took over the role from Steve Rogers, except Dick already proved himself once by taking up the mantle way back during the Prodigal storyline.
The character dialogue and conversation segments are just priceless moments for this book. It's humorous to see Dick make complaints about his equipment while Alfred tries to pacify the youth with his sarcastic remarks. I never really got into the Damian Wayne attitude, but seeing how the relationship plays out between him and Dick gives us insight at least as to how they're trying to make the partnership work. Despite their differences, both are quite the pair, and it will be interesting to see how they live up to the legacy of "Batman and Robin" with their unique chemistry intact. It's also great to see classic rogues getting back into the game again, and one of them's getting really his A-game up. Expected, since "I Am Batman" and the recent teaser pics already spoiled what he's gonna do. Apparently, he's also the" mystery attacker" shown in the first few pages of the book. Some surprise there, but meh, the book is entitled to its flaws.
The art is absolutely fantastic, thanks to the youthful and vibrant looking art by Mark Bagley. To me at least, the artist has a niche in penciling young heroes, and somehow he fits just fine in drawing Dick Grayson as The Batman. I can see how lively the action gets as a result, and it always feels good to see a superhero book that feels dynamic and energetic at the same time. So with the team set for the next four issues, it's definitely a good time to jump in and read Batman again. The book can be read as a stand alone or companion to Grant Morrison's Batman and Robin, because the events work in tandem with one another. There's no missteps thus far, and it's doing a good job of keeping up with fans' expectations. Even if the original Bats is gone, things are going great in his absence.
Score - 10/10
Red Robin #1 & 2
Written By: Chris Yost
Illustrated By: Ramon Bachs
For this review, I decided to try something new and do a double feature. I haven't reviewed the first issue of this series yet, so now seems like an appropriate time to discuss both books and give my two cents worth on them so far. For one thing, it's a comic that serves as a true companion to the main Bat books, and it serves to fill the void left behind with the cancellation of Nightwing and Robin. Those titles stood their own ground over the years, and one has to wonder if Red Robin will follow in their footsteps as it is an ongoing and not a miniseries.
Tim Drake's life is in shambles. The apparent death of his friend and recent adoptive father Bruce Wayne has left him in a frantic state of mind. Adding to his troubles is the fact that he is no longer Robin, having been replaced by Damian Wayne, who is under the supervision of Dick Grayson - the new Batman. With everything taken away from him, Tim frustrations come to light, until he has an epiphany and resolves to do the one thing everyone in his mind seems to neglect - Find Bruce Wayne. Finally finding a new purpose, he quickly leaves the life he had behind him to search the world for his missing mentor, taking up a new identity in the process. Unfortunately, "Tim Wayne" is not alone is his search, as other figures working in the shadows are also interested in his mission.
The book clearly likes to hint on the fact that it's not a good time to be Tim Drake. The guy has been through several losses over the years, and nobody writing his story is giving him a break. Chris Yost, fresh off his stint on New X-Men, (no, not the Morrison one... it's the young X-men book) takes on who could probably be the world's most gifted yet troubled young superhero ever. Yost clearly understands this set up, and takes full advantage of dissecting the world of Drake and turning it into Wayne prematurely. It's a little unnatural to see Tim so dark and full of rage, but apparently, that's what you get when your whole world based on Batman falls apart. In many ways, Tim has fallen on bad times, and he's practically being groomed to succeed Bruce Wayne as the world's greatest detective and as a brooding figure no one can approach. Red Robin is a test on this theory, and so far it's working out well on the long run. I honestly don't see this identity sticking to the former Robin for a long time. However, if things keep up the way they are now, he could very well make a name for himself in this book. It's just a matter of the right execution, and Yost has aced it so far.
The book's prevailing theme is with Tim trying to justify his actions. His growing paranoia and isolation from the world he knew are traits that seem to be a constant in this book. The kid gloves are off, and he's taking his new mission seriously. Along the way, we see how this affects his loved ones and allies, and eventually it will be interesting to see how the new Batman takes on who he considers to be his equal. That's the other thing I find odd about this book... how could he just drop everything and leave his life behind all for the sake of Bruce? First, he has no clue where to begin his search, and he leaves without showing a care in the world? Not really Tim Drake's style, but then again, he's shown his odd moments over the years. As for the illustrations, Ramon Bachs' art does seem a little too sketchy at first, but you begin to warm up to it as the series moves forward. Not too impressive, but not too shabby either.
Overall, with two issues and counting, it's a bit early to call Red Robin a must read series. It's basically THE new Robin/ Nightwing series combined into one, so there's your sidekick/ protege book for you. If you're a fan of movies like The Bourne Identity, then this series should fit your interests as there's lots of continent hopping action going around here. I certainly want to see where the road takes Tim and what he finds at the end of his journey, but hopefully things don't implode by the time the last part of this story arc comes to pass.
Score - 8/10 (Issue #1)
Score - 7/10 (Issue #2)
Ok, so there are the book. Worthy reads, but as always, this is just a mere taste of good things to come. Damn... I can't wait for next week... BLACKEST NIGHT is here!
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