The first day of July has graced us with highly anticipated comic book reads this week. I went to my local shop this afternoon to pick up these babies, and one of the titles as expected had multiple covers that were just too good to pass up. Of course, I'll get right into detail with what these covers are as I move along with the entry. Since these are the first reviews to be featured on this site, I'll start things off by giving a little background information about the book, then move towards my personal critique of it story and art wise, and finally ending things off with a rating score ranging from 1-10. Take note, these are just my personal thoughts - no one has to agree with them and you can judge for yourselves how good the title is when you pick them up. Also, be aware that there WILL BE SPOILERS revealed, so if you're one to shy away from surprises, I suggest you STOP READING FROM THIS POINT FORWARD. Now, without further delay, here they are:
Batman and Robin #2
Written By: Grant Morrison
Illustrated By: Frank Quitely
The first issue of Batman And Robin introduced substantial new changes in the eternal saga of the Dark Knight. The most obvious among these is the fact that we have a new Batman - Dick Grayson, who's taken up the mantle after the supposed death of his mentor, Bruce Wayne. Also, Tim Drake is no longer Robin, as the role has been passed to the young and arrogant Damian Wayne, the genetically created offspring of Bruce and Ra's Al Ghul's daughter, Talia. There's books worth of backstory to follow on how all of this came to be, but this is pretty much what the current situation is, and what the reader has to know - hence the banner "Batman: Reborn" displayed on the upper right corner of the cover.
The very first page of the issue shows a disappointed Dick, unmasked, sitting on the steps of his new headquarters, recounting his problematic day to a worried Alfred Pennyworth. It's then understood that the next scene takes place a few hours ago, in which Batman and Robin meet Commissioner Gordon "for the first time" and proceed to handle trouble happening inside GCPD itself. The police station is under siege by a group of circus freaks seeking to release a villain captured by the dynamic duo last issue. Even as the crisis is averted thanks to the quick efforts of the heroes, things do not run smootly between the two, resulting in a misunderstanding that leaves things complicated. As the new Batman renews his resolve to fight crime his own way, Robin finds himself in the heart of trouble, with the mastermind behind it all showing himself and setting his plans into motion.
Once again, Morrison and Quitely have a steady pairing that delivers another interesting issue that keeps the pace up and makes me stick to this book like flypaper. While issue # 1 introduced us to the new team, their first adventure, and a new cast of villains, #2 follows it up by establishing relationships and dynamics played between the characters in the book. Batman and Robin introduce themselves to the GCPD and Gordon, who already has his suspicions that things are quite different yet somehow familiar. As we catch the action drawn beautifully by Frank Quitely, we begin to see how hard it is for the new Batman and Robin to work together as a team. Dick's dedication to teach Damian is challenged by his reckless behaviour and violent outburts, a relationship that parallels Bruce Wayne's own troubles long ago with Jason Todd. Morrison also writes in a beautiful heart-to-heart talk scene between Alfred and Dick, where the former reassures the latter by acknowledging he is not his mentor, yet can treat the role "as a performance" wherein "the spotlight is on him now"and the show must go on. I like the pun on the cape, and the introduction of a new Bat vehicle is always a welcomed sight. As for the villains, they're atypically common freaks to make for batfoes, but it's this pig character that I'm curious about. Nothing was fleshed out here in this issue, but hopefully we'll get more bangs in the next one. It's these moments that make B&R a simple comic book to read and enjoy with enough humor, action, and drama to keep the pages rolling and demand for more in return. More is what we'll get in the next month, so hang on to your hats, batfans, and stay tuned for the next episode.
Score - 10/10
Captain America: Reborn #1
Written By: Ed Brubaker
Illustrated By: Bryan Hitch & Butch Guice
The hype is over, and now we are graced with the miniseries that everyone's been waiting for, promising the return of the one and only Steve Rogers - The Original Captain America. It's been two and a half years since he was killed off by Ed Brubaker - the man who systematically destroyed an iconic symbol and reignited interest in a title that has people coming back even if the main character is... well WAS dead. Now, he's going to write his return, and one can only hope that it is done so convincingly. Then again, this is the world of comics, so dead people DO NOT stay dead for a long time. Bucky Barnes, The New Captain America, can attest to that.
As I mentioned earlier, this issue comes out with 4 Covers - one by John Cassaday, Joe Quesada, Bryan Hitch & Bruce Guice, and finally Alex Ross. With so much to choose from, it's literally a marketing campaign to make people buy multiple covers for an issue containing the exact same story... and honestly, not all impress me except for the Cassaday and Hitch ones. The Quesada cover isn't too convincing, and the Ross cover, while looking mighty impressive, just looks creepy with Cap screaming out like that...*ahem* Moving on, the issue is now out in retail shops and comic stores, but does it stand up to the hype? Read on and find out.
The story begins with a series of flashbacks, recounting the Life and Death of Steve Rogers, aka Captain America. It begins with him fighting in World War II as a soldier who always went on the forefront to fight the good fight, eventually transitioning to how he died - on that fateful day where he was tragically shot down in front of the courthouse he was to stand trial in after the events of Civil War. That day, the world lost its symbol of hope... or so everyone thought.
Fast forward to the present day, new revelations revealed to Cap's lover and manipulated killer, Sharon Carter, suggest that there may be a way to bring the Seninel Of Liberty back to life. She and the Falcon meet up with Hank Pym and the Vision, while the New Captain America, Bucky Barnes, and Black Widow invade a H.A.M.M.E.R Helicarrier that contains evidence left behind by the Red Skull... evidence that could have played a hand at Steve's return. A meeting between Norman Osborn and an old Cap adversary suggest that there is more to this than meets the eye, and the reader is left with a revelation on the final pages of the book that will have people talking and waiting for things to come.
Ok, first things first, if you haven't picked up Captain America # 600 or read the special 8 page prelude in Marvel.com's Reborn page, you might be at a loss at what's happening here. Things are running at a pace that's merely confusing and a little bit disappointing at the same time. The plot device in which Brubaker used to execute Steve's inevitable return sounds too convenient and eliminates the drama and suspense I loved about the main title since he died and Bucky became Cap. In fact, speaking about New Cap, he hardly stands out as a main character here, instead regulated to being one of the sidekicks again... which is a shame considering the build up he had in the last few years. Then again, this book is about Steve's return, but the execution felt too out of place. I'm still curious and hopefully things will be rectified in the coming issues, but as of this moment things are at a moot point. The art is good but confusing to look at sometimes. Bryan Hitch's work here seems more Ultimates than Cap, and Butch Guice emulates that style all too well. I'm not saying it's bad, but I would rather have Steve Epting or Luke Ross handling art duties. Anyway, even with the book's flaws, it's still a must have for Cap readers, especially since the title will be going on a hiatus as of issue #601 until Reborn ends. A not so impressionable first issue for me... here's to hoping things don't screw up.
Score - 6/10
That's it for this week. Here's to more books soon! - Timster
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