Batman and Robin #1
by Peter Tomasi and Pat Gleason
Batman and Robin is absolutley an amazing book. It travels on its own story, doing whatever it can to distance itself from Grant Morrison's run, and making it their own while still making it a fun, clever, and of course, violent read.
Batman and Robin takes a different road from Grant Morrison, Paul Cornell, Judd Winick, and well... even Peter Tomasi's runs on the first volume of the series. Instead of being the light Sherlock Holmes-esque story that was told in Tomasi's original run, the book is bloodier, and messier. That's a good thing. I really like how Tomasi takes his time introducing Damian, and Bruce, while only providing you with hints of plot developments to come. But, like Gail Simone, it's really Tomasi's character work that stands out. He writes Damian as a selfish, yet lovable brat, who could easily be compared to Eric Cartman. Bruce is written as a sort of, learning father, not knowing how to raise Damian, though it's fun to watch him fail at trying.
What really makes this book unique however, is the art. Patrick Gleason's pencils are rougher, and more detailed, putting extra effort in drawing every gunshot, stab wound, and bloody nose. Mick Gray's colors are darker than your average book, making some panels hard to decipher.
STORY: 9/10
ART: 8/10
VERDICT: 7.5/10
Green Lantern #1
by Geoff Johns, and Doug Manhke
Poor Hal Jordan. His life sucks. But this book isn't about him: It's really more, SINESTRO #1.
And that's my problem with the book. If the New 52 is designed to cater to new readers, then at least let them know that the real Green Lantern is Hal Jordan! Seriously! However, I did read War of the Green Lanterns, so I was really not to bothered about this. However, I did think that Johns' could have shed a bit more light on Hal, and the cliffhanger really isn't engaging at all. But Johns' overall plot and character work are both steady, which is just enough to keep me on board for issue 2.
Doug Manhke's art is a very strange beast. He seems to be an expert when it comes to drawing creatures, and anything that's not human, but when it DOES come to drawing actual homo sapiens, he frequently messes up. He gives every guy HUGE dimples or cleff chins, and an ugly face, and the women a very !@#$% face. But thankfully, Manhke's work is very fun to look at, and I'm greatful he isn't Rob Liefeld.
STORY: 7/10
ART: 6/10
VERDITCT: 6.5/10
Grifter #1
by Nathan Edmunson and Cafu
I went into this book, expecting guns blazing. But, covers are decieving.
I had no idea what Grifter was about, or who he was. I just felt like reading a secret agent thriller in the vein of the Bourne Identidy, and this is what the comic shop owner reccomended. But, sadly, we only get 1/6 of even just Cole Cash's origin. The plot is completley off, and the script is hokey. But I did have one moment in the book where I was all, "Aw, that's badass." But other than that, BLEHH.
Ok, Cafu's art is actually very pretty, and makes up for the sucky story. Cafu seems to be able to see the future by adding lots off forboding through the book. Plus, his characters are just gorgeous.
STORY: 4/10
ART: 8/10
VERDICT: 6/10
Suicide Squad #1
by Adam Glass and Fredrichio Dallochio
Suicide Squad is a strange beast to review. It's what I expected, and not what I expected.
Adam Glass's script has its pros and cons. The good thing about the book, is that its as brutal as you want it to be. The characterization is well thought out and fun to read. But the plot is to stretched out, and the flashbacks feel like filler material. But if you're all for extreme torture, this book is for you.
The art is even harder to review. Dallochio draws the torture chamber scenes well thanks to a good inker, but the flashbacks are just too muddled up, as if someone just traced over Dallochio's art with a highlighter. It's almost as if Greg Tochinni and Ed McGuiness had a baby, then drowned it in black ink. Plus, the transition from inker to inker is jarring, and definitley bumps off a potential 6.
STORY: 8/10
ART: 5/10
VERDICT: 6/10
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