Missing: Have you seen the Invisible Man is a very good, gripping story that with clever writing and brilliant illustration carries you through to its end. I don’t know if this is his first and only story but I hope not.

James Williams is the Invisible Man in question or that is we assume he is from the newspaper style prologue on the front cover. Having said that, it also conjures up a bit of a mystery, one that points the finger at his employer, or insinuated former employer, Prometheus Inc. Giving us the history so far, the newspaper article lets us know James has been inventing an invisibility formula and is now missing, and his wife has spoken out despite and injunction against her pointing the finger at Prometheus. However, as the title points out and the inventing further wets our appetite, we all expect James to be invisible.

From just the front cover Dave West, writer, has thrown out a few questions for his reader, is this going to go the way of other Invisible Man stories? Has he been killed? Is he invisible because he invented the formula or because of an accident that occurs during its creation?

I’ve never seen an Invisible Man that looks so well “invisible” in print.

Turning the page gives us one of our answers, James is indeed invisible and is talking to a woman, seemingly his confidant and through Joe Campbell’s illustration, I’ve never seen an Invisible Man that looks so well “invisible” in print.

It also conjures up another question, can this woman see James or not? This I think is a sign of excellent writing backed up by illustrations of the same high standard by throwing us, its readers, snippets of information that makes us ask further questions. In other words, the main selling point of a story, which this one has, is that it grips us as readers and because of this we want to go on and find out more. As a story what we get is not someone gaining a superpower and deciding to use it for the greater good, or someone who is learning everything about his power or the inner struggle/responsibility arc that we see in so many comic book stories.

Instead, we are given an actual human being, someone who has somehow gained this superpower and wants to find out why a load of men burst into his laboratory and opened fire on him and his colleagues. There is, like in any good story, a fair amount of payback given by our protagonist to those who wronged him.

In other words, the main selling point of a story, which this one has, is that it grips us as readers and because of this we want to go on and find out more.

To get there we are given a sort of origin narrative of how James came to be invisible in the first few pages, then we journey with him and grow to appreciate him as he takes his revenge on those involved and then one of the main reasons to read this, we are given the subtle but effective twist that leads us to the stories end.

An end that fits in well with Accent UK’s blessing/curse theme, a theme that shows much more vulnerable heroes and ones grounded in humanity. For me their heroes are not about having a power or a weakness but it’s just something that happens to them and they have to manage their way through it.

If you are looking for something refreshing and different this is a story that does that, it doesn’t drag itself to its end, it doesn’t set up some massive arc that needs another 70 issues to answer all the questions, instead it’s simple, brilliant story telling, with a beginning, middle and end that satisfies in each segment.

Don’t take my word for it though you can head over to AccentUK at http://www.accentukcomics.com and get a copy or join their Facebook group and see what others have to say.

For more comic views and reviews follow Jon on twitter at @palmerjono

The Court of Owls finished spectacularly in issue #11 with “Bats” for the time being quietening the “Owls” but leaving lingering thoughts of whether Lincoln March is connected to Bruce Wayne and the inevitable demise of Alfred’s father in the side story. Inevitable because without it, Alfred may never have returned to Gotham and Bruce might have been without his most trusted confidante.

Moving into issue #12 we see a change in pace something less about Batman but a story that in one way reflects what Bruce Wayne is protecting and in another uses those same people to question how Bruce Wayne can understand the lives of those he helps through his developments and foundations.

Quite cleverly it is done through the quick introduction of Harper Row and through her reflective narrative that mimics those of Batman. From the “off” this issue drags you down into the depths of Gotham’s underground and in particular its sewers, two plot devices that are so synonymous with Batman for me that when it starts here you can only expect good things to come.

Harpers reluctance to go to the Wayne gala is captured well through the dialogue by making us all remember those situations when we’ve felt uncomfortable going somewhere for fear of being “out of place”.

Through Harper we meet her brother, Cullen Row, who is trying to get his sister to go and enjoy her night at a Wayne Gala. Her reluctance to go is captured well through the dialogue by making us all remember those situations when we’ve felt uncomfortable going somewhere for fear of being “out of place”. It’s both this and when she discovers her brother’s wound that other feeling of needing to protect a loved one.

At the moment we’ve had quite a few links back to Bruce Wayne/Batman, being underground, doing the dirty jobs and now the disguise (Harper putting on formal wear to mask where she’s come from). Even more so, that need to protect that is as much Bruce Wayne as it is Batman, Bruce Wayne protects Gotham through using his money for the better and Batman, well Batman just flies through Gotham getting to those places and situations he can’t be seen as Bruce Wayne.

The story takes its first twist after the party when Harper returns home to find her brother beaten and all their belongings gone.

The story takes its first twist after the party when Harper returns home to find her brother beaten and all their belongings gone. So, Harper wants to fix things and we learn a little more about how she learnt her skills, and how their father was at times absent. Again, I could only think about those links to Bruce/Batman, learning the skills you need to get by and protect those you love. Granted, Bruce Wayne went and learnt skills on a much larger scale but it’s all about actions and consequences. Harper’s learnt how to fix cabling, lights to make a home and keep it for her and her brother, Bruce learnt and mastered how to fight as well as becoming a very good detective because of what happened to his parents and to give people a better and safer Gotham to live in.

The next turn in the story is when Harper tries to stand up for her brother and gets in over her head, and luckily, and lets face it I think we all wish this could’ve happened if you were bullied at school, Batman turns up and the tides turn in their favour.

This is one of the reasons I really enjoyed this issue, yes I love the story arcs and the action sequences that just pummel you through from one issue to the next but this issue gives you the “nitty-gritty” (the essentials) of Batman’s world. It’s telling us that while all this massive stuff is going on with Owl’s or the Red Hood (with Robin) that it’s not to afraid to include some reality checks of people living in bad neighbourhoods, being poor and getting by or being given hell at school. The good of this all this you might be wondering is that for me it’s screaming out, “this is why we love superheroes” and why we believe in them so much.

Harper becomes slightly obsessed, a fait all of us can understand I’m sure, with her hero Batman.

Harper becomes slightly obsessed, a fait all of us can understand I’m sure, with her hero and through her knowledge of power grids turns this into wanting to help Batman as a way of paying him back. She does this and able to track him, which leads her down into the sewers amongst all the action.

With a little shift back to Batman #3 Harper does indeed help Batman, who is quick to let her know this is the last time. Indications are thought that Harper Row won’t necessarily listen.

So, at the end of this issue what I took from it is that it’s getting across everything we like about Batman, and Bruce Wayne, but playing it out through Harper. It’s noticeable that Batman isn’t in every panel or page but this works equally well, be it thinking he’s off saving someone while the gala goes on or that he’s down in the cave checking up on things.

The last bit of defiance from Harper at the end of the issue is nice and reminds us that Batman doesn’t take no for an answer either.

The last bit of defiance from Harper at the end of the issue is nice and reminds us that Batman doesn’t take no for an answer either. This issue isn’t just bridging a gap between the last arc and the next one it’s reaffirming why Bruce Wayne is Batman and let’s face it there has to be a reason for it.

I think a lot of praise is needed for both the writers and artists of this issue, I can’t say first hand but I imagine it’s a challenging task to write the issue that comes off the back of a spectacular story arc and through the dialogue, narration and the brilliant art it makes for an enjoyable read that lets you take scope of what came before and relax just a little bit before the next big thing.

Overall I found Ghost in the Machine a very nice story that shows what’s at the heart of Gotham and the people who live there and how we all need a little inspiration, help and someone to look up to when things aren’t going well.

For more comic views and reviews follow Jon on twitter at @palmerjono

With the recent re-launch of Batman I’m now left wondering if Dick Grayson was in fact ever actually Batman?

With the recent re-launch of Batman I’m now left wondering if Dick Grayson was in fact ever actually Batman? I know Damien is still Robin because he’s there in the new 52 as Robin, Drake is there as Red Robin and there is Batwing who’s been nicely introduced.

Then I come to Grayson, who and I may be stalked or maimed for this, I think was pretty alright as Batman, yes he didn’t have the same broodiness of Wayne or the same reasons for being Batman as Wayne. Then, I suppose being Batman to live up to Wayne’s memory is in itself a pretty difficult cowl to fill.

Dick Grayson is the only character who apart from Wayne himself has actually earned his way up to the Cowl.

He started out as Robin, became Nightwing and fleshed out his own superhero, rather than having one created for him like Robin, and then he got the Cowl in Batman: Reborn.

I think I know the answer really but sometimes as I read the new 52 it’s like he wasn’t, as if it’s something that was known to have happened but it’s never talked about.

I hope it hasn’t been forgotten about though because I like the way that he remained himself while being Batman, they didn’t redraft him into a darker version of himself that was struggling with the loss of Bruce Wayne. Instead, he stayed his usual positive self with Damien becoming a darker version of Robin that played off nicely. It also seemed somewhat fitting that a former Robin would train a new one, plus avoided any inconvenient Father/Son turmoil that would have surfaced between Bruce and Damien.

Talking of former Robin’s, Grayson’s journey to gain the cowl also brought out a sort of challenge between those who had been Robin before. Drake who takes on the Batman after Damien is injured, Jason Todd who has been in the guise of Batman with the aim of muddying the name of Gotham’s best hero and eventually we get Grayson becoming Batman after defeating Jason Todd.

Dick Grayson had to become Batman and I hope that this new re-launch remembers that he was for a short while.

This little plot in itself would never have been imaginable without the foresight of Grayson becoming Batman, and with it we get to see all of them in their own form of Batman. Jason Todd, a slightly over the edge, gun-toting Batman – a clear sign he was never going to get it, if we needed another one. Tim Drake proved while he’s good as an ally, he has the brains but rushes in to quick and not stealthy enough for Batman. Then after dwindling these down we get Grayson who was just biding his time, contemplating through narration about what it would all mean. That’s why he had to become Batman and why I hope that this new re-launch remembers that he was for a short while.

Even if it doesn’t though I think it’s safe to say Batman wouldn’t be much without Dick Grayson, be it wearing Batman’s cowl or his own.

You can follow Jon on twitter at @palmerjono

The deadly Court of Owls

Batman – the new 52 is a refreshing re-launch that is slowly introducing us to a new a battle for Gotham City, one between Bats and Owls. This is a battle I didn’t see coming but one that is slowly hinted at in issue one, with issues 2 to seven bringing the owls into the fore and issue eight begins the ‘Night of the Owls’.

From when I started reading Batman comics and any others that have followed I have always enjoyed the narration given by Wayne/Batman as he scopes the streets of Gotham. That’s exactly what we are given in this re-launch, the observant, thought provoked but justice fuelled mind set that reminds us that this whole story, in any incarnation, is all about Bruce Wayne and that Batman is just who he uses to get his justice.

Amongst his narration and the events that are unfolding, Batman manages to give us a sense of Gotham’s history, from its buildings, to the Waynes’, the Powers’ and with it little snippets of how the Owls have always been in Gotham.

In one of the scenes, Bruce Wayne is explaining the design and structure of the buildings built by his family as he is falling from one of them and it is this type of storytelling that is testament to the minds of both the writers and illustrators of Batman in how they pull it off. The action scenes are another thing that I am really enjoying about this series, the way that dialogue invites you into believing something is just around the corner when in fact it is around the next one, and then without any warning an explosion blows up in your face at the same time as it does Batman’s.

Along with these explosions is the way that Batman seems to be getting knocked down or kicked about, like when he is put in a maze by a load of watching Owls and when he’s ready he just gets himself a souped-up Bat suit and kicks back.

Then the assault begins with Batman’s allies joining in the fun, with Batman trying to save one of the Owl’s targets this leads him to a very unexpected discovery and with this the past of the Waynes’ suddenly comes to the forefront and their links to the Owls are very close indeed.

Writing about links and ties from issues nine and ten we are given a nice sub-story at the end of the comics set around the time of Bruce’s childhood but more interestingly it gives an altogether new look at the Pennyworths’.

It’s this little extra layer in the multitude of levels Batman has brought us that is slowly entwining Alfred, and his family’s involvement to what is happening today. Along with all the other good stuff in this series, I can’t wait to see where it all leads.

One thing is for sure any owl fans might have to change sides.

You can follow Jon on twitter at @palmerjono

The writers of The Incredible Hulk have been subtly playing with the relationship between Banner and The Hulk since the start of this new series.

It all begins coming together at the end of issue 7.1 and where the writers clearly subvert the mantle of “You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry”. Of course, any Hulk fan knows we would, I mean what’s not to like about a big green beast who smashes things, has been to outer space where he became a father, came back to Earth and got his old adversary so mad he became the Red Hulk?

Incredible Hulk Vol. 4 #8

Aside from all of that, issue 8 and 9 of The Incredible Hulk is where it begins to bring it all together and tantalises us with what’s to come.  Jumping a couple of pages in the issue it’s the prologue that hints at the change when it tells us that The Hulk has to “Stay Angry! This is all thanks to The Hulk and Banner occupying ‘one body’ again. Again? You might well be asking that very question, and if you missed that little journey I’d go back and see the first seven issues, which brings up a few treats, from seeing Banner’s erratic state of mind turning every living creature he can find into a ‘hulked’ up version of itself. Even better is the unlikely person The Hulk teams up with to get him out of his predicament with Banner.

Back to these issues though, the ‘Stay Angry’ is to do with The Hulk’s state of mind and how Banner still controls him. We start with The Hulk waking up in a room, not knowing how he got there, surrounded by Dog-Men, and a couple of smashes later meets The Punisher. The Hulk is now trying to figure out what Banners up to and teams up with The Punisher to find Pitbull, leader of the Dog-Men. During their journey and to stop Banner from appearing, The Hulk asks The Punisher to do something that I found a humourous slant on the plot device that’s being developed and works only because it’s The Hulk. Eventually they catch up with Pitbull and after some coercing The Hulk is led to a storage unit and left wondering what Banner wanted with what he finds inside. Unfortunately he doesn’t have long to think about it as he wakes up in Atlantis …

The Hulk asks Punisher for help...

In Atlantis, The Hulk wakes up to the figure of an attentive nurse, which would be a good thing if Banner hadn’t put you there for a reason. Oh, and as he discovers quite quickly there’s something glowing in The Hulk’s chest, he wants it out and so do the “angry fish people”. The chase ensues and it has to be said some of the best ‘smashing’ that there has been known underwater, which aids The Hulk and his nurse to escape. On the surface we find out again that this is another stage in Banner’s plot and at the end leaves us wondering why he’s floating around in space.

I’m no expert on illustrating comics but so far with what’s been in these issues and former issues, along with the action sequences have been brilliant. I can’t really say much more on the art than that because I just find it fits the comic brilliantly and complements the story and arc as it should do.

Can we really empathise with Banner’s plight anymore?

What The Incredible Hulk is doing at the moment is setting up a whole new war between Banner and The Hulk, and feeding us some snippets of what Banner is up to along the way. The changing balance between The Hulk and Banner is an ingeniously brilliant twist by the writers, with the whole idea of who’s controlling who or who’s keeping who buried now, I like a lot. Even more compelling is the way that while I’ve always been a fan of The Hulk, I always empathised with Banner’s plight of wanting to separate in the early comics but ultimately as this story is driving home, these two are inseparable.

You can follow Jon on twitter at @palmerjono