WEEK 3: THE NEW 52 SELECT REVIEWS

Batman #1
by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo

JESUS. CHRIST. Okay, so my expectations for Batman #1 were radically increased after I read Swamp Thing #1. And OH MY GOD, it exceded my expectations! It's effing A!

Okay, first, Scott Snyder has such an amazing voice for his characters. He is a master of characterization. I mean, Damian Wayne has one line in this book, and it's better than any line Peter Tomasi can cram into Batman and Robin. Seriously. The plot is pretty good too, perfectly staging up the summer's NIGHT OF THE OWLS event. But as I said, it's the characterization that steals the show!

Greg Capullo's art is crucial to this book. He is a blend of a little bit of Andy Kubert, Bruce Timm, Philip Tan, and Darwyn Cooke evenly mixed to make a satisfying concoction of artistic goodness. So, all I can say about the art, is that it perfectly captures the Silver Age meets Frank Miller mood Snyder has set up for the book. My only problem with the art, is that when Bruce has his mask off, it is extremely difficult to decipher who he is out of the many different faces in the crowd in one scene. But it's a minor complaint. Capullo draws an awesome Two-Face, and makes all of the Rogue's Gallery look awesome.

STORY: 10/10
ART: 8/10
VERDICT: 9/10

Red Hood and the Outlaws #1
by Scott Lobdell, and Kenneth Rockaford

This is the worst book of the New 52. It sucked. But the art is actually very nice, but the story is penned by a 6-year old.

First things first. Scott Lobdell actually has a decent voice for Jason Todd. He writes him as cold and calculated. But then, that's where the problems set in. Every other character is either: A: Completley out of character shells of the pre New 52 character we knew, or B: Is just plain old annoying. A goes to Starfire, and B goes to Arsenal. Now, the plot of the book seems to be going nowhere. The book ends on a cliffhanger that makes NO sense. For real.

Kenneth Rockafort's art is absolutley beautiful, and is probably why Lobdell sexed up Starfire too much. It is sketchy, but fine. This is the book's saving grace.

STORY: 1/10
ART: 8/10
VERDICT: 4/10

Catwoman #1
by Judd Winick, and Gulliem March

This is actually a pretty decent work. SUCK THAT CRITICS!

Judd Winick writes the thieving Selina Kyle very nicely, with the major point her sexuality. Now, many other critics hate this book becuase of the over sexed up content of the book. First of all, it's Catwoman. What do you expect? Second, did you even heed the mega sexy cover as a warning of things to come? If you're under 12, YOU SHOULD NOT PASS! Plus, the chemistry between Bats and Cats plus Selina's monologue is verry well thought out too, and the plot seems to be leading into much larger territory.

Gullem March draws like a less refined Frank Quitley. It is just sexy when it has to be, bloody and vicious when it needs to be, etc. Plus, March's facial expressions are top notch, and really show what kind of character everyone is.

STORY: 8/10
ART:7/10
VERDICT: 7/10