Comic Book Review: Batman #702

More than a month after I last touched on Batman, the second and last part of the chapter that explains the gap between Batman R.I.P and Final Crisis is finally here! What lies in store for Bruce Wayne before he finds himself displaced in time? Plenty, and every reason for me to give this short but sweet review of this latest issue of Batman, which is a must read again for fans who have resigned themselves to everything and anything about the Dark Knight under writer Grant Morrison's watch.

Batman #702
Written By: Grant Morrison
Illustrated By: Tony Daniels

The second and final part of "The Missing Chapter" picks up right where things left off - Batman investigating the death of the New God Orion and reporting his findings to Superman and the rest of his Justice League teammates. As I mentioned in the previous issue's review, things won't be immediately accessible to the average reader here. Keep in mind that the narrative follows the flow of the events chronicled in 2008's "Final Crisis", so it may be confusing to anyone jumping in and reading the story as is. Even before touching this book, I'd strongly recommend reading that miniseries first, and/or R.I.P for that matter just to get an inkling of what is going on. Morrison already assumes that the readers here are those who have already familiarized themselves with his run on both books, so this is just the clincher to fill in any other pieces missing in the puzzle. That said, this tale now proceeds with explaining just what happened to Batman before meeting his ultimate fate with destiny at the hands of Darkseid. What could be a fate worse than death? Well, this explains just what that is, and without giving away spoilers, it certainly feels a lot more burdening than the Dark Knight is accustomed to. His thoughts, feelings, and last moments before and after "Omega Day" are conveyed spectacularly by Morrison, and it's already a given the writer knows what he's doing with his material since it's just a matter of laying out the cards and explaining the interim period between his two crossovers.

I'll admit, I was very reserved with how he treated Batman during that time, but the fruits of his labor proved effective in the end when he introduced the new status quo reflected under the Batman: Reborn banner. Fans loved the changes, and so did I, but we all knew Bruce Wayne would return someday, and that's currently happening as we speak. Right now, questions surrounding his disappearance have been answered. The matter of appreciating how it went down, however, is left to the reader entirely, and in my own opinion, things went smoothly alright... at least where the entire event is concerned. Magic, time travel, and all that stuff not really associated with Batman have been the most frustrating things to gradually take in and accept, and Morrison's writing does take time to digest and appreciate. At least he's clear on his intent on the direction he wants to bring Bruce in. All we'll have to see is how that journey ends... and begins again once Batman Inc. comes into play come November. Also, art by Tony Daniels is still top notch as ever. I've come to appreciate the guy's pencils more and more as he chugs out his works for the caped crusader's exploits, and his tenure as writer isn't bad either. He and Morrison make a great pair though, and heavy writing plus inspiring artwork make for an awesome comic book package.

Now that it's gone and done, the two-part tale that brings Bruce Wayne back to the spotlight in the main Bat-book is over. Next month will see Dick Grayson back in the saddle, returning back to the present and preparing for the return of Mr. Wayne himself in a few months time. This issue didn't really blow my mind away after reading it the first time, but it certainly explained and supplemented to me material that compliments "The Return Of Bruce Wayne" storyline, leaving me anticipating his return and the impact that comeback will have on the future of the Bat-family. In all fairness, The Missing Chapter is a must read tale for fans who have followed Morrison's run on Batman, so pick this up if you are of that circle. I certainly am and did just that.

Rating - 9/10

Comic Book Review: Batman #701

The return of the comic book reviews! It has been a while, hasn't it? So much to read and so little time to review can be frustrating at times, but it goes without saying that I'll be here to deliver the bits and pieces of popculture reading whenever I can. Since the last month, the only comic book I was able to review was the mega spectacular Batman #700, and we all know how that turned out if you've been following the trail of The Dark Knight's adventures. It's not so much a milestone as it is a refresher, rather a tribute to all the men who have worn the cowl past, present, future. Regardless of the lineage, we all know there's only one man who is the TRUE Batman, and that's none other than Bruce Wayne, who's tenacity, determination, AND trauma can't be replicated by any of his successors. That being said, Wayne's eventually going to resume his role as The Caped Crusader after he finishes his journey through time. However, Grant Morrison still has a story to tell that involves the original Batman prior to his fate at the hands of Darkseid in Final Crisis.

Batman #701
Written By: Grant Morrison
Illustrated By: Tony Daniels

How fitting, I'm reviewing the following issue of Batman, and it's the return of the creative duo that brought us the tale that changed the Dark Knight's life almost two years ago - "Batman R.I.P"! Yes, Grant Morrison has paired up once again with artist Tony Daniel, to tell a two-part tale set in between R.I.P and Final Crisis, filling in the gaps and addressing some inconsistency issues fans may have had surrounding Batman's appearance/ disappearance in these stories.

Desperate Times Come In "The Blackest Night"...

Remember Frank Quitely's cover to the upcoming issue of Batman and Robin? Well, taking a cue from that tease, DC Comics has posted another image in their blog network the Source, showcasing internal artwork by artist Cameron Stewart. The sight here may be shocking and creepy to some, but it's bound to get creepier as "The Blackest Night" begins...


All I can say is... What The Heck Is Dick Doing? Find out in Batman and Robin #7 this week.

Comic Review: Batman and Robin #6

It's been a spectacular Batman title blowout last week, and while each and every story bordered tilted between both the good and the bad, there's no denying that even with Bruce Wayne's death, the Bat books have been going strong with the proteges holding down the fort for their mentor. Among the basket of books related to Batman: Reborn, the one I've enjoyed most so far is Batman And Robin, with stellar writing delivered by the unpredictable and cunning Grant Morrison. Despite what happened when he pulled Bruce out of the picture in R.I.P, the man breathed new life into the Batman title by making the revolving door spin around and pass the mantle of the bat to Dick Grayson, who's now burdened with greater responsibility.

Batman and Robin #6
Written By: Grant Morrison
Illustrated By: Philip Tan
Cover By: Frank Quitely

After their defeat at the hands of Red Hood and Scarlet, the new Batman and Robin find themselves striped bare and exposed to a "trap" that could compromise everything they've fought to keep a secret. As the duo work to escape their predicament and chase their adversaries, they realize that the pendulum has struck and more trouble is brewing ahead. As a result of all the trouble he's caused, Jason Todd is attacked by the mob's hitman, El Flamingo, who's eyes show no compassion and mercy whatsoever. The gun for hire makes short work of the new Red Hood, and laughs maniacally despite every injury he sustains. Desperate to save her partner, Scarlet tries to subdue their attacker, but is herself put down and left under the mercy of the insane killer. With all the pieces out in the open and little time left, can Batman and Robin stop the madness before it's too late?

As we hit the sixth issue is what is turning out to be a classic series, we come to the end of the Red Hood and Scarlet saga. Truth be told, I wasn't too sure is matching those two against Dick and Damian would work out, but Morrison prevailed in delivering the kind of tension one cannot predict at any given moment. Straight out of the 60's Adam West show, a "precarious situation" awaits our steadfast heroes, a result of a sound defeat at the hands of "Gotham's new protectors". It's funny that even if it looks obvious the heroes will escape, Morrison does it anyway and pulls a trap gag that's both a cliche to crime/ suspense situations and a dumb move on the villains part. Even so, it's the moment and dialogue that makes this particular situation work well to the book's advantage.

On the other side of the coin, Jason Todd and his new partner run into their own set of problems, as all the provocation and damage they've done to the mob in the past two issues comes biting back with the introduction of the international gun for hire, El Flamingo. This is where things get a little moot. Since Morrison took on the Caped Crusader for the past couple of years, he's introduced a whole new number of villains and characters that hardly make the cut as Bat Rogue material, yet some of them work to further the plot forward. Flamingo doesn't fall in that category, unfortunately, and his place in this book is just simply a wild card left to run amok and give the heroes (and anti-heroes) a hard time. The design isn't even memorable either, and while the Frank Quitely drawn cover pays tribute to Prince's Purple Rain, I'm still not impressed with the new crazy guy. Batman has tons of classic villains to use in his rogues gallery, so it should have been a good opportunity to bring someone like the Joker or Zsasz back. However, one of the themes of this storyline centers on Jason's cause "Let The Punishment Fit The Crime", and with that said, Flamingo fate by the end of this issue ends up being the reason why he was created in the first place.

As for the main characters involved, I'd give a big thumbs up to Morrison for fleshing out how Badass Jason Todd and Scarlett can be. The former's been the ultimate rebel and anti-hero in the Bat family, and it's all come to a head as he's finally come to terms with who he is. Salvation has never been an option for the former Robin, and upon taking up the mantle of the Red Hood, he's never turned back on his plans to fight crime his own way. As for Robin and Scarlet, something big happens to both of them that will change them for a while, that's all I can say. And Dick Bats? Well, by issue's end, Jason's words strike a cord in him that sets up what is possibly going to be the biggest storyline yet in the book since the events of Batman: R.I.P. What that is, I'm not telling, but the newest DC Solicits have already confirmed my suspicions of what Dick's tempted to do, evidence that's further supported by the last two pages of the current issue.

As we close up, I have to congratulate Grant Morrison and Philip Tan for a job well done on Batman And Robin. I have to hand it to the latter especially, as his pencils jive well with the dark and drama that's overflowing in this book. Once again, a new artist will be paired up with Grant for the next storyline beginning next issue, and how the pencils will fair, we'll just have to wait and see. For you guys who haven't tried out Batman And Robin yet, I encourage you to pick it up. This issue's may be so so alone, but everything is undoubtedly good as a whole. The first six issues may and well be sold out, but the Hard Cover's due this coming February, so catch it if you can, it's pure Bat action at its finest.

Score - 8/10

Comic Review: Red Robin #5

Continuing my review streak of Batman related books from last week, it's time to hit the book that stars the new "Black Sheep" of the Bat-Family, Tim Drake Wayne, aka the new Red Robin. When we last left the young lad, he finally found vindication in his cause by locating proof that his adoptive father, Bruce Wayne, may still be alive. It took trips around the world and run-ins/ assistance with Ra's Al-Ghul's League Of Assassins to reach this point, but his crusade finally has a direction to pursue... until a new threat exposes itself and brings the pain to Tim and his unlikely allies, literally.


Red Robin #5
Written By: Chris Yost
Illustrated By: Ramon Bachs

Heavily injured and barely making it back to civilization alongside the only surviving member of his League Of Assassins' escort team, Red Robin and Prudence lie unconscious and near death in front of a shocked Tam Fox, who was sent to Baghdad by her father Lucius to locate Tim Wayne. Shocked by the sight of two injured people inside suite, Tammy barely has time to react, as ninja from the League arrive and enter the scene. A few hours later, Tim wakes up inside a mysterious area, completely healed from his wounds thanks to Ra's Al Ghul's resources. After clearing up some confusion and debriefing what he knows about his attacker, Red Robin soon finds himself caught in the middle of a war between two factions. The line between good and evil just got blurry... and his crusade to find Bruce Wayne will have to wait.

It's been an up and down journey for Tim Wayne, and his life as Red Robin just took a turn from bad to worse. Writer Chris Yost has literally sent the lad on his own international solo adventure, and being away from familiar territory has Bruce's adopted son resorting to means and resources he wouldn't have considered using years ago, but has little choice with present circumstances now. Of course, I'm referring to the partnership Red Robin has crafted alongside Ra's Al Ghul, arguably one of Batman's most deadliest and respectable enemies. For those who don't know the score as of late, Ra's provided Tim with information and escorts to help him in his journey to find Bruce, which he partially accomplished last issue by finding the cave in the middle of the Iraq desert with a "Bat symbol"carved in the mall. Anyone who's read Final Crisis knows where this is going, and putting two and two together means that the obvious return is coming soon.

I noticed that the Batman: Reborn banner is gone, and it's probably for the best considering how much the title deviates from the actual events happening in Gotham. For this particular story, Mr. Yost begins his second arc by showing the life Tim has chosen to draw himself into - a world of hurt and pain. His luck happens to be good and he gets healed in no time, but a little confusion and arrogance on his part makes him draw conclusions too soon, which places him in a slightly funny and embarrassing moment in this book. Also, the backstories return, with a new origin tale that chronicles the birth of one of the members of the mysterious Council Of Spiders, the rival faction that's slowly eliminating members of Ra's League Of Assassins. Tim once again provides the narration for this side tale just like in past issues, but I really wonder when all of these plot points will converge? Now that the matter of explaining and validating Tim's search is done, we should be getting around to seeing the assassin smackdown happening soon, with Red Robin caught in the middle and forced to choose a side, which is alongside Ra's obviously. We all know he's going to do the right thing eventually, but I do enjoy the twists and turns Yost is providing to his messed up life. Adding Tam Fox to the equation isn't much of a development, but I'm hoping it will get there soon enough.

I was expecting a new artist to enter this issue, but Ramon Bachs is still present and in charge of the pencils, which leaves me to deal with more sketchy artwork. It's not too much of a problem, but I wouldn't mind some change in direction soon. Consistency at least is present, and that's already commendable for someone who's provided pretty decent work for the past four issues.

Now that he's found proof that Bruce may be still alive, Tim's got a lot more problems to deal with just as his career as the new Red Robin is beginning. Out of his Gotham element and turning more and more like an espionage agent, the former partner and crimefighting ally of Batman must face new challenges that will test his character and make him choose where he should draw the line between a good and evil act. Chris Yost has certainly got the former Boy Wonder's number, and slowly longtime fans are responding to this book. If you've read and aren't too convinced with the first Red Robin arc, I wouldn't really recommend continuing this book any longer. Otherwise, things are picking up, and hopefully we'll be seeing more answers to Tim's search in the near future.

Score - 7/10

Comic Review: Batman #691

This week is full of Batman goodness, as there's plenty of books related to the Dark Knight going around that's ripe for the picking and ready for reading. While Blackest Night successfully rampages throughout the entire DC Universe and its books, Batman:Reborn is equally troubled by a constant state of crisis and change, leaving the Bat family in an environment that's unpredictable as it is deadly. The stakes are higher and the crusade is deadlier, and as Dick Grayson finds out in this issue, its a whole new ball game that he has to be better prepared for if he wants to have any chances of winning.

Batman # 691
Written By: Judd Winick
Illustrated By: Mark Bagley

The story ends where it begins, as the new Batman finds himself under the mercy of the dualistic Two Face. Successfully infiltrating the Batcave thanks to the powers of Nola the time jumper, the man who was Harvey Dent proceeds to "interrogate" this new Dark Knight for his identity by beating the living hell out of him. After careful observation and study of his opponent, the ex-district attorney of Gotham City knows this isn't the same Batman he's fought and respected over the years, and he's personally going to see to it that the charades are brought to an end. Bloody, beaten, and all drugged up, Dick Grayson knows he's caught between a rock and a hard place, and if he doesn't find a way to convince Dent he's the "genuine article", the legacy of his mentor, as well as his own life, will be lost forever.

The megatonic duo of Judd Winick and Mark Bagley finally wrap things up with their Batman arc, as Long Shadows deals a startling "wake up call" moment to the new Dark Knight. It's amazing that with only a few issues in, we've already seen how difficult it is for Dick Grayson to live up to Bruce Wayne's name without giving his entire rogue's gallery any suspicions that he's not the original Batman. Every issue deals with a burden or obstacle Dick must overcome to seal his place as the new heir to the Bat Legacy, and even as this issue resolves a great "pain in the ass" situation for him, things have only just begun for the former Nightwing. Greater difficulties lie in store for him, including a hidden mystery left behind by his predecessor that may reveal secrets that were deliberately kept from him. As to what that is, only time can tell.

It's apparent that Two-Face has his villainous A-game up in this entire arc, and his obsession reaches a point where he comes out as a real clever threat the new Batman has clearly underestimated. Behind that half scarred visage lies the mind of a genius who was able to see through the various inconsistencies, and the dialogue during the confrontation in the Batcave clearly shows Dent having Dick's number. Of course, the latter flat out denies everything and successfully turns the tide in his favor with luck on his side, but there's no doubt that Two Face was inches away from exposing the "Batboy" for who he was - a pretender, and nothing more. It's a pity that the writer decided to incorporate Dent's Bat Costume only as a hallucination rather as the genuine article. Then again, given the circumstances and time needed to put a batsuit together, it's a believable compromise, and Bagley works his magic with the few pages illustrating this twisted and menacing "Dual Knight". Also, circumstances later on force a change in direction for the forces of good and the forces of evil. What that is, I'm not telling. Pick up the book and find out the spoils, hehe.

Finally completing his 4 issue run with the title, readers will have to bid farewell to artist extraordinaire Mark Bagley, as Tony Daniel takes over for both art and writing duties come next issue. It was fun and pleasant to see Mark's time drawing the main Batman book, and while his youthful and energetic pencils may have detractors who prefer Bats to be kept in the dark, I'm a fan of the guy's work, and I wouldn't mind seeing him work on the book again in the future. Technically, he's still going to be drawing Dick Grayson's Batman, but this time in the pages of Justice League Of America, which he's also currently doing at the moment. It's hard to see Bagley and writer Judd Winick leave after such an interesting run, but I'm curious to see what Mr. Daniels has to offer post-Battle For The Cowl.

The curtain is drawn and "Long Shadows" is done. A new Batman has been established in his solo adventures, and there's plenty more tales to be told and to look forward to. While this story doesn't necessarily fall on the list of classics, it most certainly lived up to the reputation of being a good read that's worth investing time on, especially if you haven't followed Batman: Reborn at all. The stakes are higher and the game is deadlier. It's a good time to jump on aboard, with a new Dark Knight to read about at the same time.

Score - 9/10

Comic Review: Red Robin #4

It's been a rough road for Tim Drake/ Tim Wayne, but his first steps as Red Robin have been pleasant reads so far. Now on its fourth issue, "The Grail" arc finally sees resolution, and a significant discovery made by the former Boy Wonder leaves him with renewed hope... but with more questions at the same time. If none of you can follow what's going on at the point, I suggest you go back and read up the first three issues, which I reviewed here and here. Otherwise, if you're looking forward to finding out how Tim's adventure is currently, stick around and find out.


Red Robin #4
Written By: Chris Yost
Illustrated By: Ramon Bachs

After overcoming the odds and journeying to different parts of the world, Red Robin's search for evidence regarding Bruce Wayne's survival comes to a surprising conclusion. After successfully tracing the point of origin of an artifact he procured from a German Museum, he travels to the middle east to see things for himself, albeit with a few complications on the way. Fortunately, Ra's Al Ghul is also interested in learning about the fate of "the detective", so he instructs three of his assassins (the same ones who have been bothering Tim for weeks) as his "personal escorts". A disgruntled Tim begrudgingly accepts help from his mentor's nemesis to seek out the truth, but when he finally finds what he's looking for, will his journey bare success, or end in shameless disaster?

So arrives the end to the first arc of Red Robin. I'll admit, It wasn't the most exciting round up to things, but after seeing how things concluded in this issue, you can bet your bones that I'll still be sticking around "Tim Wayne's" corner for a little while longer to see where else his journey takes him. Still, what he was eventually going to find was already expected by most since the beginning. Using a plot device taken right out of Final Crisis and similar to a concept used in the "Back To The Future" film series, Tim finally finds the clue that proves Bruce is alive, confirming the lad's suspicions that his adopted father isn't dead. However, there was a little too much melodrama and angst he had to go through to justify his search for ol' Bats. Like I said in the reviews of the past issues, his new found attitude is a little out of character from the Tim Drake many knew back in the Robin series, but now that he's "Tim Wayne", he's on the path to become a dark and brooding figure... much like you know who. Christ Yost has turned Tim into an adult, and whether people accept it or not, that's going to be the status quo for a long time.

For the revelation in this issue, I wasn't expecting much of a pay off considering how soon it would be to bring Bruce back, but looking at how Batman: Reborn started, along with the promise of a new direction for Tim, everything turned out to pretty decent in the long run. It's established that the guy's got a new direction and a new foe to pursue, and along the way, a little quest to keep his hands full while Gotham City is taken cared of by the new Dynamic Duo. Speaking of which, the cover to this issue speaks volumes of a big fight between Dick Grayson and Tim Drake. I wouldn't really call it a fight, but it's a confrontation that was foreshadowed since the first issue and finally reaches a conclusion here. So, if anyone expected a smackdown between the new Batman and Red Robin, you'll be sorely disappointed. As for the villains, Ras Al Ghul still does his best to guide Tim on his journey, and I loved that quip he makes of the demon head being an evil version of "Alfred", heh. The League Of Assassins trio also return as escorts to Red Robin, with some of them getting more page time and fleshing out their characters more. Of course, that subplot where members of the League are slowly being killed off is finally brought out in the open at the conclusion of this issue, and it's where the series picks up its next major story arc. Just when Red Robin finds what he's looking for, he's thrown into another mess. How typical.

Once again, Ramon Bach's art still doesn't do much for me. Granted, it's bit more polished and cleaner now than the earlier issues, but it still feels off. The same can be said for coloring, which I really can't compliment on either. Now that the first arc has concluded, I do hope that things speed up, and probably it's about time we get a new art team on board for the next issue, just for a "change in scenery". It's about time for a change anyway, and judging from the previews of the coming Red Robin comics, things look to be in better hands.

Looking back, I compared the Red Robin series to "The Bourne Identity", and in many ways, that's exactly how it plays out. It has the action and dynamics from the film, only with a superhero theme etched to it. There's also a bit of an exploration that's akin to Indiana Jones for this particular story arc, especially since Tim's making trips around the world and discovering stuff people would normally give up searching for. Granted, he's determined to find Bruce, but along the way, he's facing lots of baddies that are out of his native Gotham, which can be a little out of character, again. Then again, he still retains the attitude and detective skills that make him a formidable hero and fighter in the first place, so it won't alienate too many fans. Overall, what I'm saying is this: you can give Red Robin a try if you're a fan of Tim Wayne and want to see how he's doing currently. Otherwise, if you're not used to the changes made by Batman: Reborn, drop the title and just remember the guy for who he was during his Robin days. This issue also ended with another cliffhanger, so things are just bound to get stranger and messier from this point forward.

Score - 7/10

Comic Review: Batman #690

Since I started collecting every title under the Batman: Reborn banner, it's been a joyful and intense exercise in my part. Truth be told, It's never easy collecting multiple titles all at once, as you'll find yourself royally screwed over with the amount of bucks you'll have to spend just to see a story from beginning to end. Multiple tie-ins and crossovers don't help matters either, and then you eventually realize that things could've been cheaper had you waited it out and let the publisher collect things into a single trade or hardcover, with the exact same contents and more inside that compilation. That, I believe, will be the future of comic collecting as far as I'm concerned, and while I'd like to start ASAP, I find myself STILL drawn to the weekly bonanza of comic reading goodness. Every month breaths anticipation, and the tales in Reborn have been pretty decent so far. While we all miss the original Bats in action, the new one is doing a bang up job for his part, giving his best to fill his mentor's shoes for the meantime... but is it really quite enough, especially when old threats become more menacing than ever?


Batman # 690
Written By: Judd Winick
Illustrated By: Mark Bagley

After unwittingly walking into the middle of a setup, the new Batman has to deal with two unexpected threats, namely the shape shifting Clayface and an Ex-Special Forces Wacko named Lyle Blanco. The duo come off as no mere pushovers, but fortunately for Dick Grayson, his experiences in the field will get the job done... as long as he's careful and two steps ahead of the matter. The attack, however, is nothing more than a diversion, set up by a mysterious individual helping out Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin. The plan helps Oswald clear his mind from bat worries... but bigger troubles are ahead of him just yet. Meanwhile, Two-Face has found the perfect way to get to the new Batman, and this time, it's going to be a personal confrontation the Dark Knight will never forget.

If there's one thing I like about Judd Winick's writing, it's that he knows how to get into the mind of the characters he's doing, and in this case, he's doing a sweet job with Dick Grayson. The previous issues have already explored the fact that he doesn't want to replace his mentor, but honoring his memory and becoming his own version of the Batman can be a tedious exercise, especially when he's already out in the field and exercising that cause to the best of his abilities. The initial fight between Batman and the unlikely criminal duo shows just how much Dick relies on his past experiences, skills, as well as improvising the situation when things become hasty and too critical for him to handle. He constantly criticizes himself to become a better crimefighter with each mistake he makes, and that attitude has served him well... for the most part at least. Each flaw and action he takes separates his take on the Cowl from that of Bruce Wayne's, and it's this dynamic flow of restructuring that makes me excited to read about his exploits as the Batman.

The various bad guys flooding this title also make their move... in a big way. The obsession Two-Face has over the new Batman has already reached the point where he takes action to uncover answers. Honestly, the way he goes about it is pretty convenient, and if all the villains followed his "short cut method", then what's the point of presenting challenges the Dark Knight could overcome with conventional means? I know anything can happen in comics, but come on, THIS IS BATMAN for crying out loud. As for the Penguin and his "mysterious benefactor", I find this angle interesting, and the shit hits the fan literally when Ol' Oswald finds himself in the middle of a double cross... he's in hot water now.

Art is just as spectacular as always by Mark Bagley. I'm liking the fact that his take on Dick's Batman is just as energetic as his previous work on Spider-Man. For a book that has dark undertones, he sure can make things energetic enough to call it a proper fit most of the time, especially when it comes to the action scenes. As dynamic as Winick's writing is to the book, Bagley's art feeds life to that and supplies the ammo that readers can bite on and come back asking for seconds. It's simply that good, I tell you.

Overall, "Long Shadows" continues to impress me by making the Batman: Reborn thing an exciting read. Once this arc is resolved, Battle For The Cowl writer AND artist Tony Daniel will take over for a six issue stint with the book... and I wonder how things will turn out there. Unlike the previous issue, this one redeems itself with more action, despite certain plot devices that raised more eyebrows than putting a smirk in my face. However, the final page of this issue brings things full circle to the first few pages of issue #688, where Dick Grayson takes a massive beating at the hands of the now fully-revealed assailant. One can only wonder just what the outcome will be once #691 hits next month.

Score - 8/10

Comic Review: Batman and Robin #3

It's been a while since we've heard from Batman and Robin, but thankfully, the new issue finally came out this week, and with Arkham Asylum making the waves in the videogame industry, fans have more bat-action to read up on and enjoy.



Batman and Robin #3
Written By: Grant Morrison
Illustrated By: Frank Quitely

Concluding the first arc of the brand new ongoing series by acclaimed writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely, the new Dynamic Duo finally crackdown on the mastermind behind the attack on the GCPD and murder of Toad. Almost two months since the last issue hit store shelves, does book three justify the long wait, or does it present a miserable conclusion fans will be sorely disappointed with? Read on and find out my thoughts on the matter.

Damian Wayne is going to find out just how tough being Robin The Boy Wonder is going to be firsthand. After diving straight into Pyg's hideout, he unwittingly gets captured and is about to be subjected to intense experimentation by the crazy criminal himself. What both of them don't know, however, is that the new Batman is on his way save his sidekick, and after last issue's falling out discussion between Dick Grayson and Damian, can the new Dynamic Duo still work together as a team?

With three issues done and more to come, I'm really beginning to love the new Batman and Robin team-up presented in this book. Like Grant Morrison promised prior to the beginning of this series, the whole dynamic between the Dark Knight and the Boy Wonder is reversed, and instead of the mentor being the dark and brooding figure, it's the sidekick who comes off as intimidating. Unlike the other Robins that came before him, Damian really shows himself to be a the kind of kid that people will immediately dismiss as a mere brat, not knowing how dangerous and scary the boy can be when he lets himself go. I never really liked the concept of his character when was introduced to him during the Batman and Son arc a couple of years ago, but I'm beginning to warm up to the lil' guy; he's tough, different, and defiant to the very end. It's also great to see Dick in action as the new Batman. Years of experience and practice have shaped this guy to be a perfect replacement for Bruce, and even if he doesn't want to admit it, he can be as scary as his mentor, as seen in the opening page of this issue when he "questions" someone on the whereabouts of Pyg. Speaking of that guy... he's quite a mental case here. I'm sure that this won't be the last time we'll be seeing this guy, and after all he's done, he already a prime candidate for incarceration in Arkham once it's rebuilt. Morrison's coming up with all of these new villains for the book, and reintroducing some old faces at the same time as well. I can't wait for the next issue now. That's when the new Red Hood makes his debut, along with a female character who made quite an impression in this concluding pages of this issue.

I'm still loving Frank Quitely's art here. His visuals are compelling as ever and tell as much of the story as Morrison's writing does. I know he's scheduled to take a break in the next few issues, but I sure hope he comes back and brings the kind of A-game seen here along with him. In terms of the book itself, overall I didn't find it as strong as the first two, but it's chalk full of enough action and story to bring this three-part tale to its epic conclusion. It also manages to bring things full circle with the epilogue presented in the final chapter of Batman R.I.P by presenting the new Batman and Robin taking down a prominent baddie from that story arc, firmly establishing the new dynamic duo's place in Gotham as its full fledged protectors. I said it before and I'll say it again - this book rocks. If you're not down with the whole Batman: Reborn concept, this should be good series to collect by itself even if you avoid the rest of the other bat titles. It stands alone, and is a good Batbook to tide you over until Bruce's eventual return (we all know he'll be back sooner or later).

Score - 8/10

Comic Review: Batgirl #1

It's been a LONG time since I started collecting books related to the Batman franchise outside of the main guy himself, but since Batman: Reborn kicked into high gear, I've been picking up three titles under its banner on a monthly basis. This marks the fourth book I've added to the list, and with it comes the debut of a new caped heroine to take up the mantle of Gotham's "Girl Wonder".



Batgirl #1
Written By: Bryan Q. Miller
Illustrated By: Lee Garbett


With the apparent demise of Bruce Wayne, the entire Bat-family has undergone major changes to their internal roster. Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne have become the new Dynamic Duo to protect Gotham, while Tim Drake travels around the world to find his mentor under the guise of Red Robin. As the male proteges of Batman grow accustomed to their new roles in life, the same can be said for the new Batgirl, who has more than her fair share of problems to explore. After a random night of crimefighting with the previous Batgirl, Cassandra Cain three weeks ago, Stephanie Brown/ The Spoiler is surprised to see her friend take off abruptly, leaving her costume behind in the process. She secretly takes it home and begins adventuring as the new Girl Wonder, hiding the fact from her mother and allies who know her secret. Her "dirty little secret", however, soon comes to the attention of the Bat-family, and when Batman and Oracle realize who's behind the mask, they aren't pleased with the news... not one bit.

Finally, I picked up the issue I spoiled you guys over with because of the reveal yesterday - Batgirl #1. What can I say... it's looking like a pretty solid book. As one of the expanded titles of the Batman universe, I'm surprised to find myself collecting it, and maybe it's because of the new girl under the cape and cowl; a young and feisty girl named Stephanie Brown. Originally known as The Spoiler and the fourth person to wear the Robin costume, Steph has built up quite a reputation for herself, with an immense fanbase built from her years as a favorite supporting character to Robin/ Tim Drake. Her new role as Batgirl isn't much of a shocker or a surprise, but it's a great way to promote her character's growth considering the way everyone in the Bat-family is moving on and stepping up to take somebody's place in the grand scheme of things. Writer Bryan Q. Miller is evidently no stranger to writing stories about teen heroes, starting out as a writer for the TV series Smallville and moving on to comics by taking over some issues of Teen Titans. His work with Steph in this book is remarkable, showing how ambivalent and reckless she can be on the field as well as with her private life. He also seems to have a clear understanding of how the Bat Universe works nowadays with the changes incorporated by Reborn, and it will be interesting to see how the new Dynamic Duo interact with the new Girl Wonder in the coming issues ahead.

While Steph comes to her own as the new heroine of Gotham City, the book also shares the spotlight with another Batgirl veteran - Barbara Gordon. For much of the character's history, I've always associated the Batgirl name with her, and to this day I still find that costume sexy, (rawr). The one and only redhead daughter of Commissioner Gordon was beautiful as she was gifted when she was still active as the Girl Wonder, and even if she is confined to a wheelchair nowadays, her reputation has grown exponentially thanks to her new role as the legendary informant Oracle. Miller is evidently aware how Babs works inside and out, and fans will be pleased to know that she'll be a recurring character in this book for quite some time. As she did with Cassandra and many others who have tried to fill her shoes in the past, she'll be mentoring the new Batgirl, and it looks like it won't be a walk in the part session for Stephanie either. Babs is clearly pissed about something, and probably it'll be a subplot that will be further explored as the book moves on in the months to come.

Lee Garbett is just a wonderful artist to be tied to this book, and I hope he stays around for at least a year or so. He draws Stephanie and the other female characters so well that they're all so vibrant and colorful to look at. Heck, his Batman and Robin aren't bad either, and that's because he last worked on "Last Rites", a story arc that follows Batman R.I.P and leads up to Batman's ultimate fate in Final Crisis. Clearly, the guy knows his Batman so well that at one point of the book, he manages to draw every symbol associated with the character over the years, from the silver age yellow ellipse to the one used in the Nolan films.

With a great writer and fantastic artist at your disposal, it's hard to call Batgirl a hit or miss title. Fans of the character may or may not be thrilled with the new girl at the helm, but face it, it is Batman: Reborn after all, and it's time for a change. For $3.00, it's not a bad relaunch, and it's quite accessible enough to read, even without knowledge of who Steph, Babs, or any of the characters are. The story will guide you along the way, and as inexperienced as the new character is, it's a good way to see how "Batgirl Begins"... again.^^

Score - 9/10

Comic Review: Red Robin #3

Batman: Reborn continues. My previous review of Batman #689 got me a little jazzed up for the future of the new Batman, and we know that Gotham City will be safe under his watch. But what of Bruce's other protege, Tim Drake? Since leaving his comfort zone to travel the world on what many see as a fruitless endeavor, Tim's life has become more grim and darker than ever. However, he persists on with the belief that his mentor may be alive, making it his personal mission to find Batman... no matter the cost. Red Robin #3 illustrates this fact all too well, and clearly, Tim Drake feels he has nothing more to lose... or so he thinks.

Red Robin #3
Written By: Chris Yost
Illustrated By: Ramon Bachs

Breaking in and stalking a museum in Germany for clues can be considered as "crossing the line" for some. For Tim Drake, that line was already crossed when he decided to begin the search for Bruce Wayne, alone and under the new alias of Red Robin. With his life turned upside down by circumstances beyond his control, he expected his journey to be all by his lonesome. What he didn't count on was "direct assistance" from one of his mentor's greatest enemies, Ra's Al Ghul. Sending his assassins to keep a watchful eye on him, Red Robin contends with the problems he has today, all the while reflecting on the past that seems to haunt him constantly and the decision he has come to make. Meanwhile, the League Of Assassins is slowly losing its best soldiers to a string of hits perpetrated by an unknown party. How this will affect Red Robin and his search remains to be seen...

Writer Christ Yost continues his angsty run on the new Red Robin's life. As the one Robin I have come to know since childhood, Tim Drake is a character I've come to admire over the years, and it's not because he bears the same first name as I do. Since his introduction in the late 80's, fans have seen the kid grow up and become more than just another Boy Wonder in the Batman Legacy. No, he was a dedicated student in the art of detection, and his talents showed so much promise that his first achievement was deducing Batman and Nightwing's secret identity all by himself. As time went on, he became a formidable fighter under the Dark Knight's tutelage, and his evolution from promising sidekick to a hero of his own gave Bruce the belief that Tim could eventually succeed him not necessarily as Batman, but as the World's Greatest Detective. Now, looking at those qualities and comparing the Tim before to the Tim now... they are two drastically different characters. From a quick thinking, light headed Robin, we have a brooding, Batman like "Red Robin", obssessed with his mission and becoming more introverted by the second... it's too sudden. Probably Yost knows what he's doing to Tim, but the transformation to someone isolating himself from his community sounds too harsh, and too much of a 180 degree turn.

Since the last review I did for Issues #1 and 2, not much has changed with the Red Robin status quo. The penultimate chapter to the storyline known only as "The Grail" doesn't clue in too much as to how Tim's search will end, but it does show more of his interactions with prominent figures in his life. In the present, his dealings with Ra's Al Ghul are likened to the proverbial "Deal With The Devil", while a past conversation with an old friend/ teammate/ love interest goes awkward, causing Mr. Drake to withdraw from his former life all the more. Honestly, I'm not sure where Yost plans to take Mr. Drake when all is said and done, but it's clear that he wants to give the lad a miserable journey staked with all kinds of nuisances. This set up and Tim's attitude still reminds me of Matt Damon's Jason Bourne and The Bourne Identity films, since he's a guy outrunning all kinds of danger to reach a certain goal, no matter what the consequences will be.

On the pencils, I'm starting to feel alienated with Ramon Bach's style. Like I mentioned in my previous Red Robin review, it's sketchy... maybe a tad too sketchy this time around. The coloring doesn't help matters either. It's acceptable art, mind you, but it doesn't fit too well with the dramatic scenes. With a new artist announced come issue #6, I'm kinda looking forward to how the illustrations go there.

With one more issue to go before the first story arc ends, there's not much to say about Red Robin for now. Unlike the past two issues, this one didn't do much for me save for being a filler. Obviously, Robin readers and Tim Drake fans will have to pick this up to know what the former Boy Wonder is up to, and how his search ends will probably impact the rest of the batverse for some time to come. He'll eventually return to Gotham though in the next issue, and he'll be mixing it out with the new Dark Knight himself, Dick Grayson. How that slobber knocker match turns out, I don't know, but I'll be sticking to this book for the foreseable future... if I like what I see as the series goes.

Score - 6/10

Comic Review: Batman #689

The Bat-Universe has been pretty busy lately. A few days ago, I reviewed the first issue of Blackest Night: Batman, and that was a good tie-in by itself to get the new Dark Knight and his allies into the whole Black Lantern mess happening in the DCU. Still, we can't be distracted from what's going on in the main batbooks, and Richard "Dick" Grayson has more than his hands full there already. As we continue the saga of Batman: Reborn, a new Dark Knight continues to protect Gotham against familair foes. Even if the world has lost Bruce Wayne, his protege is holding the fort down nicely... even with a few headaches coming to him here and there.


Batman # 688
Written By: Judd Winick
Illustrated By: Mark Bagley

Ever since he took up the mantle, being Batman was a challenge for Dick Grayson. He knew it wasn't going to be easy, but since he was a boy in the circus, he was born performer, and he relishes on delivering the best performance he can, even as a crime fighter. After a successful hit in one of Penguin's clubs, the new Dark Knight is feeling more confident than ever to continue his mentor's legacy and eliminating crime, but his movements are being monitored by Harvey "Two-Face" Dent, who uses the new Dark Knight to loosen Penguin's hold on his side of Gotham. Wanting to eliminate the pest once and for all, Oswald Cobblepot meets with "another mysterious party", who supplies him with "distractions" to keep the new Batman pretty busy.

For three issues straight, Judd Winick continues his game of presenting "the new and happier" Dark Knight to the comic fanbase. Like the last issue before this, it's already obvious that Dick Grayson isn't trying to imitate Bruce Wayne at all, and doing his own twist on the Batman legend is working well for the most part... almost too well. We now know that Two-Face is onto "Dick's facade" and is utilizing this discovery to rain in on Penguin's parade, leaking information to the new Batman intentionally so he can cripple Cobblepot's territories. At the same time, Dick's not stupid enough to realize he's being used, and he's just playing along until he can discover who the real mastermind is and end the game once and for all. Personally, I'm really enjoying this book. It's refreshing to see how Winick displays the new Batman working in the field, with Mr. Grayson contrasting his own actions to that of Bruce Wayne. While he doesn't use his mentor's methods to disable his prey, the former Robin and Nightwing makes up for this by "lighting up the stage with dazzling fireworks", beating up goons and getting the job done in timely fashion.

For those needy in emotion and dialogue, there'll be a lot more discussions between Dick and Alfred here. Like the last issue, similarities and contrasts can be seen on how Bruce and Dick relate with what many would call "Batman's Batman". Coping with the loss of Bruce must be painfully hard for the faithful butler, but Dick's presence and will to continue his mentor's work gives the surrogate father of the bat family the strength and will to carry on as well. I loved how Alfred summed his role up - "To stand in the Shadow of The Greater Shadow", and while he has gotten good at this with Bruce over the years, Dick Grayson's tenure as the Dark Knight has made things easier for him this time. It's a great moment of this book, and one that I look forward to in many more issues while Nightwing holds onto the mantle.

The big game coming is the war between the new Bats, Two-Face, Penguin, and a mysterious third party individual who hasn't revealed himself publicly (but for those who read Battle For The Cowl, it's pretty obvious who it is already). Harvey evidently is enjoying the new Batman, and while we don't know what kind of move he'll make later on in the next few issues, previews have already revealed what he intends to do. Penguin also stands out as an unintimidated force, and just looks more annoyed than angry at the whole mess Batman has created for him. His meeting with the shadowy guy foreshadows a greater threat in the works, and while they don't see to the pest problem personally, they have some hired guns to do the job for them, including the return of another familiar bat-rogue who uses his powers effectively to get the Dark Knight's attention.

Art again by Mark Bagley is superb. While I can't fault him for his work here reminding me of his stints back when he was doing Spider-Man, the effect is pretty much the same. Everybody looks so youthful and so vibrant with Bagley's sketches that it's hard to believe Gotham is a dark place sometimes, and while I have no problems with that, some people may not be too comfortable with the illuminated atmosphere given in this book. In fact, sometimes I can't hesitate to see Dick Grayson as a black haired Peter Parker wearing a Batsuit instead of the Spidey costume, a pretty amusing comparison that's only justified by the fact that Dick likes to talk and kick ass as Batman... a lot. Also, I'm starting to have a love/ hate relationship with the design of the new Batmobile. While it seems effective, it's not as sleek-looking as its predecessors and I kinda miss that part of having a ride like that. Hopefully since it's going the Batman Beyond route, it'll evolve to that, but until then, I guess I'll have to live with this for now.

Overall, it's another solid issue for Winick and Bagley, but I feel we can get more out of the new Batman creative team in the next issue. I'm not disappointed with this month's results, but I wouldn't call it a home run either. Still, great action flows in this book to make fans give it attention, so pick it up only if you want to see Dick Grayson come into his own.

Score - 8/10

Who Is That Pretty Lady I See?

DC Comics teased a new Bat-Title image... and it's one in a series of pictures I've found to be quite irritating, as it challenges my knowledge of the Bat-Mythos. We've known that things would change for several members of the Batman Family after Battle For The Cowl, but this individual takes the cake as the one figure in the bunch whose identity remains safely guarded. Take a good look at who's keeping secrets now...



She's a feisty one alright...

Among all the titles in the Batman: Reborn saga, this one still lies in a shroud of mystery that won't be revealed until the book hits stores early next month. It really begs the question: WHO THE HECK IS THE NEW BATGIRL!? Could it be Barbara Gordon? Cassandra Cain? Or a new girl in the suit that wants to make an impression? I really don't know... All I can say is that the teasers are working and making me extremely curious.

Handling The Worst - More Batman: Reborn Updates...

After picking up the Deluxe Hardcover Edition of Batman R.I.P last night, who would have thought that DC would come out and release new information on the continuing saga of the new Caped Crusader? Man... Information overload confirmed! It's surprising that things have carried out this smoothly since Batman: Reborn began, and the surprises are just downright impressive to look at! Be warned though, some of these images may be considered SPOILERS, so take a look at your own risk. If you're ready for it, look on and prepare to be wowed. Before we start though, remember this poster?


Yes, this is the infamous "I Am Batman" poster, wherein several elements and characters were introduced that featured prominently in the miniseries, Battle For The Cowl. Some, however, were not in the plot itself, and instead served as warnings of a foreboding future, alluding to the notion that more things dark and sinister were in store for the Dark Knight's future. As the Batman: Reborn saga continues, some of these mysteries are coming to light... and one figure seen in the picture above has just made his presence known.


Ok... everyone HAD to see this coming. The "other" Batman in the poster above never made it to the Battle For The Cowl storyline, but he was bound to show up somewhere along the way, and here he is finally - in the cover to Batman #691. It doesn't take an Einstein to figure out that the man under this interesting variation of Batman's suit is Harvey Dent, aka the dual-minded villain, Two-Face, who has seemingly begun his bid in taking the mantle of the Bat from Dick Grayson, the current and new Batman. This leads one to wonder if the mysterious figure beating the pulp out of Dick in DC's six page preview of Batman # 688 IS Harvey, but that's still under speculation and we'll never know until the issue, by Judd Winick and Mark Bagley, hits shops tomorrow. For now, things are getting serious in the new Dark Knight's world, and that's enough reason to keep me glued on to this series for a quite a while.


For the second teaser pic, the Bat-action just gets more intense on the next issue - Batman #692. Come October, Tony Daniels will take up the dual role of Writer AND Artist once more, as he returns to the world of Batman again with a new story arc that's going to give the new Batman more than he bargained for. For those keeping up with the score, Daniels' was responsible for Battle For The Cowl, so all of this isn't new to him. Given the somewhat mixed responses from that story arc, it will be interesting to see how things go this time around, and hopefully, it'll be good. As Dick Grayson embraces his destiny as Gotham's new protector, can he overcome the challenges ahead as things get more complicated? Keep on reading folks, as Batman: Reborn trudges on!