Batman Incorporated #5 Review

BATMAN INCORPORATED #5

by Grant Morrison and Chris Burnham

WARNING: Spoilers!

HOLY. FREAKING. CRAP. Did I just read that?

Every now and then, in any Grant Morrison story that lasts for more than 6 issues, Morrison gives us one big issue that breaks away from the story to give us (what seems like) a transition issue that turns out to have a MASSIVE impact on his story later. This... is not that kind of issue. Instead, it's obvious this issue is foreshadowing things to come, and it's brutal as hell. I love Batman #666, and I'm glad Morrison has brought us back to the future of Damian Batman. Morrison pulled out all the stops for this, and turns the dial to 11. Much of this issue is built on shock value, and boy, does it live up to the word, shock. The last half of this issue is one reveal after another, while giving us a terrifying story to boot. I mean, in this issue, we find out that Doctor Hurt is still alive and well, and mere pages later, Barbara Gordon goes crazy, and snaps a baby's neck. Unlike many transitional issues, we even get some progression in the main story, The issue ends in what I believe, is going to lead to where Bruce is at the start of issue 1. 

Chris Burnham rocks this issue. He draws a truly hopeless vision of the future of Gotham, and does a marvelous job in showing the city fall into chaos.  Watching Burnham's normally cheerful style turn to darkness and doom is heartbreaking. However, there was one panel on the first page where Damian's face is drawn TERRIBLY wrong. It drew me out of the story for a second, but after that, everything flows smoothly.

Batman Inc #5. BUY IT. This is definitely one of the best issues of Morrison's Bat-Saga. Even if you don't read, BUY IT. It will read fine as a single issue.

STORY: 5/5

ART: 4.5/5

VERDICT: 4.5/5

Justice League Dark #14 Review

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #14

by Jeff Lemire and Graham Nolan

In the aftermath of the AWESOME battle at the end of the last issue, Black Orchid, Ametheyst, and Frankenstein('s Monster) explore the House of Mystery. What mysteries await? More importantly, is it any good?

Jeff Lemire does an awesome job of showing us how important Constantine really is to the DCU. By using these 3 characters to reveal more about the House of Mystery, Lemire has provided us with a topsy-turvy little adventure, whose sense of fun rivals that of Lemire's spectacular debut issue. We even get some awesome revelations at the end that show us what Constantine's ulterior motives are, and makes good on its promise to establish him as the most dangerous man in the DCU. However, I did not like the ending of the book, which featured an incredibly forced and uncalled for appearance from the Phantom Stranger and Pandora, which is supposed to tease us for the upcoming Infinity War. It seems to break away from the story, and served no purpose to the plot. 

Another gripe I have with this issue is the art. Graham Nolan provides some fill-in art. Though not as disastrous as Lee Garbett's #0 issue, it doesn't seem as precise or detailed as Mikel  Janin. It doesn't measure up. However, his art does fit the tone of the story. I was able to look past many of its flaws and enjoy the story.

Justice League Dark #14 wasn't as good as the last two issues of the story, but it served its purpose to reveal more about its main character, and provide us with a trippy adventure through the House of Mystery.

STORY: 3/5
ART: 3.5/5
VERDICT: 3.5/5

FF #1 Review

FF #1

by Matt Fraction and Mike Allred

Matt Fraction and Mike Allred? Sign me up.

FF #1 reads more like Fantastic Four #2. It takes place right after the events of Fantastic Four #1, but you can still read it on its own. The book does an adequate job of introducing all of the major characters. Surprisingly, Fraction does a better job of introducing the students of the FF better than the 4 main characters. Fraction gives most of the characters their own brief segment to introduce them. The students of the FF are much more interesting and funny than the 4 main  characters. This is a problem, because when I closed the book, I felt more like I knew the students better than the 4 protagonists. However, Fraction still does a decent job of writing the many characters, and this book can still be read on its own without the many F4 series. 

Mike Allred's art seems to pop off of the page. His art has a energy to it that gives it a unique charm that I've come to love in an instant. His cartoonish style suits the light-hearted tone of the book, and plays a fundamental role in becoming attached to the characters. 

Matt Fraction and Mike Allred have crafted a new awesome series that I'm going to have to pick up next month. This book has a special charm that can't be found  in many other books, and excellently sets up the characters. 

STORY: 4/5

ART: 5/5

VERDICT: 4.5/5

Pull List: 11/28/12

It's PULL LIST time! As always, I'm here to give you the scoop on the books I'm getting this week, the books I want this week, and the one book that I don't want this week! By the way, the last book is usually a Liefeld book. Now let's get started!

PULL LIST

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #14

by Jeff Lemire and Lee Garbett

Justice League Dark is an incredibly unpredictable series. Last month, it was revealed that the Books of Magic weren't magic at all. What does that mean for the DCU all in all? Where did  they come from? Where is Tim Hunter now? Plus, we need  more Frankenstein/Ametheyst fun. 

FF #1

by Matt Fraction and Mike Allred

Mike Allred is AWESOME. He is a very talented artist and I just want more of his art in my hands as soon as possible. Plus, I love the idea that Fraction is giving the subplot in Fantastic Four its own series. 

BATMAN INCORPORATED #5

by Grant Morrison and Chris Burnham

Hurray! We're returning to the  future of Batman #666! #666 is one of my favorite issues, and I thought it was clever of Morrison to set up nearly all of his future Batman run in that single issue. Is Batman Inc #5 probably just going to be one big tease for the last 7 issues of Morrison's run? Probably. And I'm going to buy it.

WISH LIST

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #14

by Gregg Hurwitz and David Finch

I've grown accustomed to David Finch's distinctive style. I read the first issue of this series on Comixology and flipped through the first volume. I gotta say, I would pick this up... But it's out of my budget. Also, I've heard a lot of good things about Hurwitz's new Scarecrow. 

ANTI-WISH LIST

THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #14

by Rob Liefeld, Mark Poulton and  Joe Bennett

Mr. Liefeld, I thought you were supposed to leave DC and go back to writing terrible 90's stuff with Image again! Are you just trying to stretch out  your run on Hawkman, Grifter and Deathstroke as much as possible? Are you trying to get DC to want to keep you? Well let me tell you, that there was no reason to go off attacking Scott Snyder on Twitter, because you will NEVER measure up to the writer he is. Heck, I doubt that you're even half the writer Lobdell is! Also, why did you make such a big deal over leaving DC? Was it because the editors tried to fix your artistic  mistakes? Either way, no one cared why you left. People shouldn't pay to read you work, they should be rewarded just for looking at the covers, which is why I'm thankful you let Joe Bennett and your other artistic collaborators draw the covers for the titles that you're still writing. That way, I don't have to look at your lame character designs, astonishingly terrible proportions, and artistic mistakes even a two year old can spot.  By the way Mr. Liefeld, if you actually are reading this: Improve your artwork and writing or leave comics in general.

A concerned hater,

Comicsandead

Comics I'm Thankful For This Year

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! So, to celebrate, I'm compiling a list of 6 of the best comics I've read this year! What's #1 going to be on this countdown!

6. DAREDEVIL 

by Mark Waid and Chris Samnee

After years of incredibly grim and tired stories, Daredevil got a fresh coat of paint thanks to Mark Waid. He brought back the happy-go-lucky and light tone of the original Daredevil series, and it worked. Waid even built up an intriguing mystery that even made me believe that Daredevil was guilty, and it's hard to turn your audience against the hero. 

5. I, VAMPIRE 

by Joshua Hale Fiakov and Andrea Sorrentino

In a medium where vampires are incredibly overused, and depicted as sparkling teenagers, I, Vampire somehow ends up breaking the mold. This is how vampires should be done. Andrew Bennett and Mary, Queen of Blood's complicated relationship is a surprisingly original story in itself. Plus, Andrea Sorrentino's artwork is gratuitously gritty, and as you get used to it, it becomes crucial to the story.

4. JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK 

by Jeff Lemire and Mikel Janin with Lee Garbet

The Justice League Dark on this list isn't Peter Milligan's. It's Jeff Lemire's. Milligan's character work was great, but the plot was confusing and slow as molasses. Lemire's run was amazing, though it kind of fell in issues 12 and 0. Even then, it was actually pretty good. Lemire's dialogue and character work is even better than Milligan's, with a plot that moves quickly, and filled with twists and turns. 

3. SUPERCROOKS

by Mark Millar and Lenil Yu

I know I'm going to get a lot of flak for this, but I actually loved this series. Mark Millar is one of my favorite writers, but his work is hit or miss. When he misses, he fails incredibly (Nemesis, Civil War, Fantastic Four). But when he hits, he delivers in spades (The Secret Service,  Superior, Ultimate Avengers). Supercrooks is one of the books that hit. Millar tells a violent, tragic and often hilarious story about supervillains in an Ocean's Eleven situation. Johnny Bolt is a relatable and likable protagonist, who concocts a genius plan to rob the greatest supervillain ever. Millar's story is fun to read, with a clever twist I didn't see coming. Plus, Lenil Yu's art is pure awesomeness.

2. BATMAN

by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo with James Tynion 

When Scott Snyder started writing Detective Comics, I doubt anyone knew what they were getting into. Those who picked it up were in for an epic mystery that spanned 10 issues. It was so successful, that DC put him on the main Batman title for the New 52, and now, he's told 3 of the most successful Batman stories ever. Batman #12 was a highpoint for the series, telling the tale of Harper Row. The Court of Owls was an astonishing story that actually felt new, and didn't feel like something we've seen before. And Death of the Family had one hell of a setup.

Aaannnddd... For number 1...

1. HAWK AND DOVE

by Rob Liefeld 

loljk

1. ANIMAL MAN

by Jeff Lemire, Travel Foreman and Steve Pugh

No, Rob Liefeld. I still don't like you. Jeff Lemire made the best comic of the year. Seriously, everyone should be reading this book. It's hard to scare people in comics, and this book does the trick. Visually, it scares the !@#$ out of me, but it's part of the unique charm it has. Buddy Baker's family is one everybody can relate to, and the overall story that is connects this with Swamp Thing and Frankenstein: Agent of SHADE (to a degree) feels truly epic. Plus, Travel Foreman and Steve Pugh's  art make this one of the best (and most disgusting) looking books on the stands. 

Deadpool #2 Review

DEADPOOL #2

by Brian Poeshn, Gerry Duggan, and Tony Moore

The best new Marvel Now! title double ships this month.  Thank God!

One of the best things about Poeshn and Duggan's Deadpool is that they don't take themselves seriously at all. From making jokes in every panel, no matter how high the stakes are, to their perfect handling of Deadpool, they got the (comedy) goods here. The story continues, as the ghost of Ben Franklin begins to assist Deadpool. This time, Deadpool fights Theodore Rossevelt, which ends hilariously ("You punched me in my President's cabinet!"). The cliffhanger isn't engaging, but I don't mind, since I'm coming back next month either way. 

I can't imagine anyone besides Tony Moore drawing this book. Except for Chris Burnham. The  two artists share an excellent cheesy style that fits into Poeshn and Duggan's "Dark Heroes? !@#$ That Noise!" style. He just lets loose on each panel, cramming them with enough detail to make Grover Cleveland full.

Deadpool #2 is pure win. It's the best book to come out this week which is  why it deserves the score I'm giving it.

STORY: 5/5

ART: 5/5

VERDICT: 5/5

Justice League #14 Review

JUSTICE LEAGUE #14

by Geoff Johns, Tony Daniel and Gary Frank

Justice League #14. As with issue 13, it's a mix between a corny story, good art, and a decent backup story.

Geoff Johns makes this book incredibly corny and overdramatic again. The Cheetah isn't an interesting villain at all, whose motives and goals are cliched supervillain fare. Johns ends the issue with an overdone scene between Superman and Wonder Woman, and has Batman just watching them like a creeper. The Flash makes  the same mistake, and the way they take Cheetah down is completely unjustified.

However, Tony Daniel's art looks even better than ever. He draws an awesome Batman, and his portrayals of the different characters aren't overdone.

The backup story is actually pretty decent. The latest chapter of the Shazam! saga delivers a funny and grim debut of Black Adam in the real world, as Billy and Freddie spend their money earned from saving people. Gary Frank's art looks pretty good, with his detailed Andy Clarke-esque style, though some facial expressions look incredibly awkward, stiff, and sometimes, even lifeless. However, when he hits, he captures emotion perfectly.

Justice League #14 is an okay buy, since the story is incredibly disappointing. However, the art looks AWESOME, and  the backup is interesting. 

STORY: 1/5

ART: 5/5

BACKUP: 3/5

VERDICT: 3/5

Captain America #1 Review

CAPTAIN AMERICA #1

by Rick Remender and John Romita Jr

Rick Remender is really bringing his best to the MARVEL NOW! titles. John Romita Jr... Not so much. 

Captain America #1 focuses on showing us what kind of hero Steve Rogers is. Instead of making this a spy movie like Ed Brubaker did, Rick Remender is willing to go more over the top than Brubaker. Captain America is  kidnapped and taken to Dimension Z by Arnim Zola, one of the weirdest villains ever created. Remender gets Cap's voice down flawlessly, as he's finally starting to settle in and get used to the modern world. Remender makes the funny banter between Rogers and Carter (It's not everyday your boyfriend turns 90) a joy to read.

I enjoyed John Romita Jr's early works such as his Iron Man run, though his more recent work ranges from meh to bleh (Kick-Ass, AVX, The Avengers). His proportions here are off, (though not as obvious as some of Liefeld's work) he creates a lot of awkward  facial expressions, and his work becomes rushed and sloppy towards the end of the book. Even worse, Dean White's colors slip up very often in here, most obviously  during the fight scene that introduces Cap. However, no matter how much I criticize Romita, I can't deny the energy he brings to the book. His art style looks pretty good whenever he doesn't slip up too.

Captain America #1 is a fine read, with a well done story but meh art.

STORY :4/5

ART: 2/5

VERDICT: 3/5

Saga #7 Review

SAGA #7

by Brian Vaughn and  Fiona Staples

OK, every single review site on Earth and some of friends can't seem to shut up about this series. So now, at the second arc, I'm finally jumping in, after catching up on what happened so far on the web.

To quote the film "Tangled", "Now I see the liiiiiight...". After I closed this book, I started to sing that song in my head. It's just... amazing. Vaughn writes a great story here, as the plot as  filled with twists and turns. In fact, the book does such a great job of reeling you in, I don't even know if the book had ads in it! Vaughn's greatest strength here is his character work, especially when he explores the chemistry between the books' two main character. 

Fiona Staple's art is great too. It's pure eye candy when it needs to be, and revolting and disgusting when the script calls for it. I don't know why we see more of her art lying around.

Saga #7 got me hooked. I just opened my eyes to the series, and this is some of the best comics of the year, with Animal Man, Justice League Dark, Daredevil and (imo) Supercrooks.

STORY: 5/5

ART: 5/5

VERDICT: 5/5 PERFECT SCORE!

The Great Pacific #1 Review

THE GREAT PACIFIC #1

by Joe Harris and Martin Morazzo

The Great Pacific has an unusual premise. A young Oliver Queen type billionaire wants to clean up this massive trash dump in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and gets caught in a web of espionage and intrigue. How does this story hold up? Read on and find out whether this book is best recycled or not. 

Joe Harris starts the issue with an introduction scene that doesn't have much punch. The main character is so hard to like, it's been 3 hours since I read the book, I've forgotten his name. The storytelling feels confusing and scattered. I found it hard to keep up with what was going on with the plot, that I had to read it twice.

If the story is an extreme negative, the art is a massive positive. Martin Morazzo brings a style reminiscent of Chris Burnham or Tony Moore to the book. He makes the book look beautiful, no matter how much trash is on the page (both literally and figuratively).

The Great Pacific is a very "meh" book. I might give the next issue a try on digital if it gets cheap, but for now, I'm declaring this book: Waste.

STORY: 1/5
ART: 4/5
VERDICT: 2.5/5

An announcement from Comicsandead...

So, I won't be uploading my pull list or any reviews this week, mainly because I'm on vacation and out of town. However, I will be uploading late reviews next week, and I'll be starting a new column called Retro Reviews today. =) Bye. 

Batman: Li'l Gotham #2 Review

BATMAN: LI'L GOTHAM #2

by Dustin Nyugen and Derek Fridolfs

WE. NEED. MORE. OF. THIS.

Batman: Li'l Gotham is like a drug. You can't get enough of it, and you start going through withdrawal symptoms between each fix. This is how you do a book for kids and your average comic book reader. Throw in an easy to understand plot with jokes that will appeal to both comic nerds and the young'uns, and  poke fun at the status quo of the main books. 

Dustin Nyugen's art is awesome as always, and I love how he's using his watercolor style (that he usually reserves for covers.). It's adapts to the story of the book like a puzzle piece, and he throws in tons of cameos towards the end of the book.

Batman: Li'l Gotham #2. If there's only one digital book you're buying, it should be this.

STORY: 4.5/5

ART: 4.5/5

VERDICT: 4.5/5

Batman #14 Review

BATMAN #14

by Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo and Jock

Batman #14. Does this chapter of Death of the Family live up to the last? Find out!

I had to reread Batman #14 to make sure I didn't miss anything. Half of the main story is an excellently unnerving conversation between Batman and the Joker. The first part of the book was unusually slow. We got more creepiness from the Joker, and a boring conversation between Bats and Nightwing. It was strange to see a Scott Snyder book be such a mixed bag. The main event of the book is the first meeting of Batman and the Joker. Here, Snyder makes a compelling argument, comparing Batman and Joker's relationship to that of a king and a jester's. One small continuity problem: Detective Comics #14 takes place after this, though Alfred's disappearance isn't given a second thought, though it seems like Alfred has been missing for quite some time. 

Greg Capullo's art is as awesome as ever. The opening escape sequence is amazingly detailed, and I loved the shot of Batman in the vat, blowing his way out. If the rumors of Capullo leaving this book after the next arc is true, I'm going to be a sad panda.

The backup was... meh. It wasn't as useless as the one in Detective Comics #14 as this one seems like it will have some long lasting  consequences. However, it wasn't that engaging. The Joker confronts the Penguin and... that's that. Thankfully, we have Jock's art to give us a real reason to read the backup (and fear the Joker).

Batman #14 is a mixed bag of a half and half story, amazing arc, and another underwhelming backup. 

STORY: 3/5

ART: 5/5

BACKUP: 3/5

VERDICT: 3.5/5

Fantastic Four #1 Review

FANTASTIC FOUR #1

by Matt Fraction and Mark Bagley

The lovable kick-ass blue eyed Thing is back! With those other 3 that you don't care about.

Matt Fraction did a splendid job. This issue is mainly dedicated to introducing the four main characters  (and their children). Fraction has a firm grip on all of the main characters, especially Reed and Ben. I had one very micro sized problem though: Marvel NOW! is supposed to get new readers into comics, and  F4 #1 is kind of not accessible. As a new F4 reader, I thought that it was annoying that they didn't give the Future Foundation a solid introduction, and was thrown right into the middle of it all. I wish Fraction could have explained the FF's purpose, but I could overlook that.

Whether you like  Mark Bagley's art or not, you can't deny the energy he brings to the table with this first issue. The colors and the art seem to pop right off of the page, and he captures emotions very well. However, he has a very annoying tendency to make some of his characters look the same. I had a hard time distinguishing Johnny Storm from Ben Franklin. 

F4 #1 is a great #1 issue, despite the few gripes I had with it. This is a very light week for me, so if it's the same for you, I suggest that you buy this. 

STORY: 4/5
ART: 3/5
VERDICT: 3.5/5

Pull List: 11/14/12

Awwwwww yeah! It's that time of the week again! It's time for me to make my pull list!

PULL LIST

BATMAN #14

by Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo and  Jock (for sure this time!)

Last month, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo left us with a cliffhanger that had a beloved character's survival in serious doubt. So far, DEATH OF THE FAMILY is terrifying the  crap out of me, and I hope Snyder follows up on last month's spectacular issue. However, if I find out that this arc doesn't have any death in it, and it's all bark and no bite, I'm going to be seriously pissed. So far, the only death in the arc has been that of about 20 unnamed extras that are slightly hard to care about, so here's me hoping...

FANTASTIC FOUR #1

by Matt Fraction and Mark Bagley

From what I know, Matt Fraction is only a decent writer. I was able to pick up an issue of the Invincible Iron Man for only $.99 on Comixology, and it wasn't that bad, but I wasn't wowed  by it either. No, he's not the reason I'm getting  this. Mark Bagley is. Mark Bagley is the co-creator of Ultimate Spider-Man, a series that played a massive role in getting me hooked on monthly issues. I think it's safe to say he's one of the reasons I'm reviewing books in the first place, since Ultimate Spider-Man was so good. I needed more of the series, and guest what? Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1 was one of the very first monthly books I got (Though, the series  has just been OK so far, and Bagley's not drawing it). 

WISH LIST

THOR: GOD OF THUNDER

by Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic

Just before I wrote this article, I bought all of X-Men: Schism for $.99 an issue, and it was surprisingly awesome. Jason Aaron is a writer  capable of some  pretty good stuff. I also saw the Thor/Loki: Blood Brothers motion comic a few weeks ago, and Esad Ribic's art... ESAD RIBIC'S ART... It looks beautiful. Sadly, it's $3.99, another example of Marvel overpricing.

ANTI-WISH LIST

SUPERBOY #14

by  Scott Lobdell, Tom DeFalco and RB Silva

I don't think the world needs more Scott Lobdell written Super-books. Mr. DiDio, please make him stop. Superman #13 was terrible, and now that he's co-writing Superboy, and Supergirl for the H'El on Earth crossover, he's just going to make it worst (though I give him credit for not being as bad as Liefeld). Plus, WHAT THE HELL is going on in that cover? And H'El has one of the worst designs for a villain that I've ever seen since Reverse Flash. 

Animal Man #14 Review

ANIMAL MAN #14

by Jeff Lemire, Steve Pugh, and Timothy Green

In this issue, epicness occurs. And Steve Pugh and Timothy kind of get over the art issue, so there's that.

Animal Man continues it's ferocious Rotworld tie-in, with monstrous force. Lemire starts this issue, diving into the Rot war headfirst, with an epic battle that involves mutilating, decapitating, dismembering,  blowing up, cutting, dicing, and skewering the many different DC character Rob Liefeld has written during the New 52. That alone warrants a 5 star score. Then, Lemire continues to surprise us. He shows us that he understands what else is happening in the DCnU by somehow integrating the current Flash story arc into the story. Meanwhile in the past, Lemire is writing a harrowing horror movie that is essentially a cat and mouse game between Maxine and the Rot. It's intense and terrifying. In fact, I think Maxine's survival by the end of this arc is in question. 

Steve Pugh brings his A-game to this issue of Animal Man, with the disgusting creatures he's drawing. He somehow even makes his distinct style feel crucial to the main story. Timothy Green does NOT bring his A-game to the flashback sequences of the story. He fails to terrify as much as last month, as his interpretation of the beasts of the Rot all feel the same. 

Animal Man #14 is my pick of the week. The story is perfect, and the art slip ups somehow feel more forgivable.

STORY: 5/5

ART: 4/5

VERDICT: 4.5/5

Deadpool #1 Review

DEADPOOL #1

by Brian Poeshn, Gerry Duggan and Tony Moore

MARVEL NOW! kicks off with a sleeper hit just unexpected  as Animal Man was for the New 52.

The premise of the book is simple: SHIELD wants Deadpool to stop the Zombie President Apocalypse. Why? Because they don't want the public to see like Captain America  murdering Harry Truman. And it works. It's hilarious, violent, and some of the most fun you can have reading a comic book. Poeshn and Duggan have a better grip on Deadpool than I've seen from Jeph Loeb, Daniel Way and Rob Liefeld... COMBINED. They write him as a hero that none of the heavy hitters want to be seen teaming up with. Also, the plot of the book chugs along at a pretty good pace, and it ends with the most ridiculous, and over the top ending ever! Three words: Lincoln. Gun. Headshot.

Tony Moore's art looks as good here as it did in the first six issues of the Walking Dead. His exaggerated and loony style is crucial for the book. I don't think an artist  with a style that's even remotely serious fits this book. I'm pretty sure Moore had a lot of fun littering this book with little easter eggs that history buffs will enjoy.

I can't believe it. Deadpool #1 is so much better than Uncanny Avengers #1, it's hard to put into words. BUY THIS BOOK. Or FDR is going to wheelchair you to death. Yes, wheelie.

STORY: 4.5/5

ART: 4.5/5

VERDICT: 4.5/5

Detective Comics #14 Review

DETECTIVE COMICS #14

by John Layman, Jason Fabok, and Andy Clarke

WHAT? Jock did NOT  draw the backup story?

John Layman is working wonders with Detective Comics. After the last Penguin-centric issue, Layman turns his attention to Poison Ivy. I'll admit, I think his excuse for including Ivy is a bit forced, but I like her better as a villain than a hero. Another thing I love about Layman's DC, is the tone he's setting with the book. Instead  of making this all grim and grime, he's going for a B:TAS feel for the book. Layman also puts Batman in one hell of a sticky situation (literally) at the end of the book with an interesting cliffhanger that excellently sets up the next issue.

Jason Fabok's art continues to shine with his smooth David Finch style. Fabok makes Batman look great. He makes EVERYTHING look great... except Damian. Damian makes a brief cameo in this issue, and Fabok makes him look 16, though he's only supposed to be around 9 or 10 years old.

The backup is surprisingly... disappointing. It felt like Layman was trying to take up space, because if feels so pointless. It's so muddled, and a poor attempt to try to elaborate on the book's cliffhanger, that he could have just summed it up in one sentence. Clarke's art looks good, though it doesn't feel as detailed as his work in Batman #0 or the last issue. 

Detective Comics #13 has a kick-ass main story, but an underwhelming backup story. I suggest that you buy this for the meat of the book, but not for the supplementary material.

STORY: 4.5/5

ART: 4.5/5

BACKUP: 2/5

VERDICT: 3.5/5

Pull List: 11/7/12

A jester. A detective. And a... beast thing guy..? These three are the protagonists of the three books I'm getting this week. So, let's get to this week's PULL LIST!

PULL LIST

DEADPOOL #1

by Brian Poeshn, Gerry Duggan, and Tony Moore

I don't approve of the idea of Marvel Now, but I commend the House of Ideas for trying to make their books more accessible. Plus, Deadpool is a pretty funny character, Tony Moore is actually the CO-CREATOR of "The Walking Dead", and I've heard nothing but positive reviews for Brian Poeshn and Gerry Duggan's "The Last Christmas".

DETECTIVE COMICS #14

by John Layman, Jason Fabok, and Jock

Last month, John Layman instantly made on of DC's most consistently bad titles one of its best. Here's hoping the new creative team will catch lightning in a bottle twice! Plus: JOCK. IS. DRAWING. THE. BACKUP. 

ANIMAL MAN #14

by Jeff Lemire, Steve Pugh, and Timothy Green

Rotworld has been a hit or miss event so far for me. The Animal Man tie-in has been beast (...) so far, with a Walking Dead feel to it. On the other end, Swamp Thing doesn't fare as well, since it doesn't benefit from having the likable and relatable characters that A-Man does. However, I hope that Steve Pugh and Timothy Green have cleaned up their act with this issue.

WISH LIST

STORMWATCH #14

by Peter Milligan and Will Conrad

OK, it looks like a lot is happening in this issue. Apollo and Midnighter fight Etrigan, the Projector or Adam-One return to the team (most likely the latter, due to his return from the dead in issue 0), and Harry Tanner finally infiltrates the Shadow Lords. Whew. The team is going to have a LOT on its plate.

ANTI WISH LIST

IRON MAN 2 MOVIE ADAPTION #1

by TBD

Why is Marvel putting this out just now? Isn't it too late now? Seriously, this was a poor movie, and the Avengers have already kicked its sore butt out of the minds of most Marvel fans. No one wants to experience this disappointment again, especially since Kieron Gillen and Greg Land are already tackling Stark in Iron Man #1 this week as well.

Batman: Li'l Gotham #1 Review

BATMAN: LI'L GOTHAM #1

by Dustin Nyugen and Derek Friedolfs

I  almost  didn't write this review. But Li'l Gotham is such a good deal! You get a 23 page story on the day it comes out for only a buck! And it's actually pretty funny too!

I guess that this was DC's last minute answer to  Marvel's A-Babies vs X-Babies (My comic shop ran out of this. I had no idea that it appealed to others that much!). The premise of Li'l Gotham, is that these chibi-like versions of members of the Bat Family go on various funny adventures on different holidays of the year. This issue is filled with funny and cute slapstick humor. Despite this being out of canon, and meant for comedy, Nyugen and Fredolfs actually get Damian's dialogue down pretty well. It's the same kind of Damian humor we should be getting in Tomasi's Batman and Robin. Damian randomly and hilariously beats down various costumed kids on Halloween, mistaking them for the actual villains of Gotham (But what kind of person in their right mind would let their kid go trick or treating in Gotham? Haven't they ever read Batman: Haunted Knight?), which leads to some great jokes.

Nyugen's art is just gorgeous to look at. He makes everyone fit into this happy little Gotham, and the watercolors fit this too. I think that if Nyugen used traditional inks and colors, the book would look too dark, more along the lines of his Streets of Gotham run (despite the chibis). 

Li'l Gotham is a comedic run through Gotham, which is nice for a quick one dollar laugh. 

STORY: 4/5

ART: 4/5

VERDICT: 4/5