By Jack Chambers, Daniel Cole, Mathew Wilmeau and Chris Fenn
Click HERE to listen to the Inter-Comics podcast – Episode #051
This week, we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of Batman!
Jack and Dan are joined by Mathew Wilmot and the Inter-Comics Batman expert, Chris Fenn to discuss the news, reviews and their favourite stories about the Dark Knight.
Stay tuned until the end for some musical treats and clips from our previous guests, all about the Caped Crusader!
Click HERE to listen to the Inter-Comics podcast – Episode #051
Click HERE to view all the podcast episodes
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Posted on August 4th, 2014
Category: INTER-COMICS PODCAST, NEWS & VIEWS, PREVIEWS & UPCOMING RELEASES, REVIEWS
Tags: avengers, Batman, Chris Fenn, Comic news, Comics podcast, Daniel Cole, Jack Chambers, Mathew Wilmeau, Podcast
By Jack Chambers, Daniel Cole and Mathew Wilmeau
Click HERE to listen to the Inter-Comics podcast – Episode #050
It is our one year anniversary! So the Freeless Defenders have teamed up with Mathew Wilmeau for a truly epic Fuck, Marry, Kill session.
We also discuss the best and worst comics of the week, #29 of 52 and they even take a trip down memory lane.
So sit down and enjoy the celebrations!
Click HERE to listen to the Inter-Comics podcast – Episode #050
Click HERE to view all the podcast episodes
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Posted on July 26th, 2014
Category: INTER-COMICS PODCAST, NEWS & VIEWS, PREVIEWS & UPCOMING RELEASES, REVIEWS
Tags: avengers, Batman, Comic news, Comics podcast, Daniel Cole, Jack Chambers, Mathew Wilmeau, Podcast
By Jack Chambers, Daniel Cole and Free Costin
Click HERE to listen to the Inter-Comics podcast – Episode #049
This week the gang is joined by John-Paul Bove. JP talks about his work, the role of colourists and which comic book characters he’d marry, kill or fuck.
The gang also look at the big news announcements from the week, talk about their best/worst comics of the week and discuss a double helping of 52.
Sit down, relax and enjoy!
Click HERE to listen to the Inter-Comics podcast – Episode #049
Click HERE to view all the podcast episodes
Follow on Twitter! – https://twitter.com/intercomicspod
Follow on Facebook! – https://www.facebook.com/intercomicspodcast?hc_location=timeline
Posted on July 26th, 2014
Category: INTER-COMICS PODCAST, NEWS & VIEWS, PREVIEWS & UPCOMING RELEASES, REVIEWS
Tags: avengers, Batgirl, Batman, comic books, comics, Daniel Cole, DC Comics, Free Costin, Image Comics, Jack Chambers, marvel comics, Podcast
By Chris Fenn
I’m finding it quite difficult to think how to word this review. I love Tomasi’s work, and I think his work with Gleason has been consistently the best Batman book since the launch of the New 52. I also love the Fourth World and am instantly interested any time they become a focus in a book. The difficulty I have is that this issue has quite a few things I really dislike with it.
First of all I both love and hate the opening to this book. I love it because it gives a very clear and concise summary of the conception, life and death of Damian Wayne; which must be nice as a new reader and is also a good refresher to people already familiar with the story. What I truly hate about the introduction, though, is using pre-Flashpoint events as an origin to New 52 stories.
Now I am quite a large lover of canon and continuity; I love non-canon stories, Elseworlds and one-shots but I also really appreciate a set and established order of events, and my understanding of resetting a universe is that DC decide to start from scratch; the problem with starting from scratch is then relying on material that occurred before the reset. One huge glaring example in this book is showing Batman get hit with the Omega Sanction, an event which occurred in Final Crisis; and for anybody that hasn’t read Final Crisis [SPOLIER ALERT] this is the event where Darkseid dies in canon, yet this is used as a prequel to a story where Darkseid has only been fought by the Justice League once.
As to not dwell on that particular aspect of the comic I’m going to point out a few other parts of this book that I disliked, and they seem to hinge on the artwork more than anything. There is one particular sequence where Batman shoots, who I think is Glorious Godfrey, in the head with, what I think is, a grappling hook; now as you may tell from how I describe it, the image isn’t very clear and just feels cluttered.
The final thing I’m going to moan about is how Batman seems to act at times. Through the bulk of the book Batman and Ra’s are fighting parademons and Batman cuts both hands off of one and gouges the eye of another. Now I know parademons aren’t human, but that seems really overly brutal for Batman; does this mean he can inadvertently kill mutants, aliens and animals? I also really hated the way he clunkily said “Knowing Ra’s, probably not deep enough”, come on Tomasi; you’re better than that!
Now the things I really enjoyed about this issue basically boil down to two events; the first is when the Justice League arrive. Now it was obvious something was going to happen when Godfrey began to scream but I thought it would be Ra’s, not the amazing two page spread of the Justice League saving the day; this really epitomizes what I want to see from a superhero team.
I also love Batman’s loss of temper, particularly his outbursts against Luthor and Shazam. I feel that when he lashes out in these instances they are justified, considering he has travelled across the world to try and get his son back, only to lose him at the last second to a madman on another planet, I also love the assertive and committed speech he gives on the final page.
Despite my grumblings this is a good issue; it isn’t as good as Tomasi’s other work, and pretty much anything I haven’t mentioned is good. I think this upcoming arc will bring out the best in Batman, the Fourth World and Damian.
For more comic views and reviews follow Chris on Twitter at @fenneth1989
Posted on July 18th, 2014
Category: OUT OF THE LONG BOX, REVIEWS
Tags: Batman, Chris Fenn, Damian Wayne, Darkseid, DC Comics, Glorious Godfrey, Justice League, Peter J Tomasi, Ras Al Ghul, Robin Rises: Omega #1 Review
By Jack Chambers, Daniel Cole and Free Costin
Click HERE to listen to the Inter-Comics podcast – Episode #048
This week the trio let you guys decide the content as they answer your questions.
Topics include: Their pulls lists, spoilers, character defining creators and which superheroes they would marry.
So sit back and enjoy this bumper sized episode!
Click HERE to listen to the Inter-Comics podcast – Episode #048
Click HERE to view all the podcast episodes
Follow on Twitter! – https://twitter.com/intercomicspod
Follow on Facebook! – https://www.facebook.com/intercomicspodcast?hc_location=timeline
Posted on July 10th, 2014
Category: INTER-COMICS PODCAST, NEWS & VIEWS, PREVIEWS & UPCOMING RELEASES, REVIEWS
Tags: avengers, Batman, comics, Daniel Cole, DC Comics, Free Costin, Jack Chambers, marvel comics, Podcast
By Chris Fenn
The first time I saw this series was on the @InterComics upcoming comics page, and I thought it would be another needlessly dark and tragic re-imagining of a fan favourite character, but I was pleasantly surprised when I read the preview in the back pages of some DC books.
The entire tone of the book is really light and totally fits with Dick Grayson’s character. Now is the time where I sound like a total DC fanboy and say that this book reminds me a lot of the current Marvel Now Daredevil series, except I like Grayson and haven’t been too sold on Daredevil.
The similarities between the two books extends beyond the two acrobatic characters; both books make a lot of use of spirals and lines and jazzy colours that almost seem out of place but really suit the book. There is also a nice scene where we see Dick jump off a bridge and behind him are the images of how he moved – something that I feel is inherently ‘Daredevil’.
Now the reason why I think I like this book over Daredevil is probably down to familiarity with the character. I have always perceived Daredevil to be a brooding character more in line with Batman than Nightwing, but Dick has pretty much always been lighter and more humorous. I could be largely wrong, but that is the one thing that I have sort of not ‘got’ about Daredevil, however before anybody shouts at me I do read it and enjoy it!
One thing that is nice to see is Dick still retains his knowledge and skill from Batman. It’s done in seemingly small touches, but I like the fact that Midnighter mentions that he is “Well-trained… but not adverse to improvisation” and although this isn’t a direct reference to Batman I felt it was a nice observation to his past. I also really liked how he quickly deduced the best way to get Ninel to spend his energy was to anger him, again something that a detective would be able to figure out.
There are a couple of things I’m not overly keen on; I find the hypnos implants are a sort of get out of jail free card to being a spy, but I suppose something needs to be done to stop Dick’s identity from being exposed. I also find the treacherous female ally love interest is a bit crowbarred in, but if there’s one thing DC fans know is chicks love the Dick!
I find Spyral questionable, and not in an ethical way. I’m not too sure that their motive is that compelling, and they don’t feel evil like they were or Incorporated or benevolent like Mister Minos sounds like he wants to be, they just seem… there. I do love how they kept the funky black and red chevrons on the walls, really retains what Morrison established in his Batman Incorporated saga.
This was a really good first issue, it has me hooked and it’s good to read something lighter where nobody died or got any limbs torn off. I can see this being an enjoyable book, and I think it could be a good starter for anybody who likes Daredevil and wants a taste of DC.
For more comic views and reviews follow Chris on Twitter at @fenneth1989
Posted on July 10th, 2014
Category: OUT OF THE LONG BOX, REVIEWS
Tags: Batman, Chris Fenn, Comic Reviews, DC Comics, Grayson #1 review, Midnighter
By Chris Fenn
Now I know @LukeBbtt has been reviewing Batman Eternal but I thought I’d give it a read this week and see how my thoughts compared to his.
I reviewed the first issue of this series and thought it was really good with a very promising future for Gotham City. Since reading it though I have to say I have been disappointed.
My favourite issue to date has been the Batgirl one, with Red Hood and El Gaucho, because it felt like a Batman comic with a clear story and character work instead of just a cluster of loose ends and characters. This issue, to me, felt like another collection of characters doing meaningless stuff.
Now let me throw this out there before people get upset or angry; I like Scott Snyder. I really liked The Black Mirror. I liked the Court of Owls. I mostly liked Death of the Family. Scott Snyder is a good writer…
… But Scott Snyder needs to stop doing story arcs that require a million issues. I’ve complained about Zero Year before for being too long, but Batman Eternal is estimated to run for Sixty issues. Sixty! From start to finish that’s fifteen months. This story will finish in around July 2015, and I cannot fathom why this story needs sixty issues to tell.
Based on the Batman #28 preview/filler issue we know that Steph is going to be spoiler and we know that Harper is going to assume a more active role in the plot as Bluebird and we know that there is going to be a sort of police state in place, so until then it’s almost like we’re going to tread water.
I also now totally agree with what the @intercomicspod gang (@gizmo151183 specifically) have been saying about destroying the character of Gordon, only now it feels that nobody ever except for Batman is allowed to be good and try to not outright murder people. At first I thought Snyder and Tynion IV were going to build Bard up as being squeaky clean and the Jim Gordon people want in the New 52 so his inevitable heel turn would have more impact, but in this issue he reveals he’s cool with a dozen people dying.
Also why is it trendy to make the Scarecrow an awful character? He was awful in Arkham War, he was awful in the Gothtopia storyline and he’s awful in this. Oh, and The Joker’s Daughter is in this too; so far she has popped up twice for no real reason and in no relation to any other events of the story; but she has Joker in her name so cool beans, right guys?
I feel like this book is struggling and could be due to end any time soon, but we are less than 25% into the event. I just really want some nice short stories; a few one and done comics, some two or three issue arcs, with interesting characters that don’t need to change the face of the DC Universe forever.
I don’t understand what Batman Eternal is trying to do; why is Carmine Falcone built like a WWE Superstar, why did The Penguin pierce the throat of his henchmen for being helpful and why don’t we see Batman in a Batman comic?
I don’t want to read Batman Eternal any more, but I feel obligated to considering everything has to tie into everything else and I’ll probably not be able to read any other Bat title soon if I dare to miss a single issue.
All in all I find Batman Eternal as a whole, and Scott Snyder, to be overly indulgent, with too many characters, not enough direction and far too much of a desire to be remembered forever instead of giving readers a good story.
All in all, I give Batman Eternal #14 a 9.5 out of 10.
That was a joke by the way.
I think I’ll leave this series to @LukeBbtt in future!
For more comic views and reviews follow Chris on Twitter at @fenneth1989
Posted on July 10th, 2014
Category: OUT OF THE LONG BOX, REVIEWS
Tags: Batman, Batman Eternal #14 review, Chris Fenn, Jokers Daughter, Penguin, Scarecrow, Scott Snyder
By Luke Abbott
Because the last issue of Harley Quinn was delayed, I have essentially been given two Harley Quinn comics in a single week. This is fantastic, because they are quickly turning into my favourite things to get through the post.
After the plot heavy Borgman double-parter, I was expecting things to quieten right down for a while. Harley Quinn was never too big on tackling things like a narrative, so I assumed Borgman’s addition was a compulsory attempt at tackling a storyline and then this week we would get back to the episodic misadventures with Harley. Seeing as handling story only worked 50% of the time, I couldn’t say I overly minded just spending an issue with Harley chilling. However, much to my surprise, this issue gets to the bottom of who put out the hit on Harley, causing these assassins to come after her. A lot of twists are uncovered (I didn’t see one coming and I thought I figured it out), yet the story never gets too much. While this does handle a narrative, I would still categorise as an issue where we just spend 32 pages hanging out with Harley getting up to mischief.
I love how disconnected Harley Quinn is from everyone else. Last issue, Poison Ivy appeared out of the blue, revealing that she had uncovered a lead on who is sending the assassins after her. Anyone else would have dived to the bottom of that mystery. Harley goes sun-bathing and invites Ivy around for a sleepover. Who does that? Poison Ivy is only a little better, occasionally tapping her watch and mildly suggesting that they ‘crack on with some work’. It is hilarious, especially when the two girls are distracted from their investigation when they find two hunks on the beach that they decide to brainwash for fun. I am loving the duo of Quinn and Ivy, creating a demand for Ivy to guest star more frequently. They really do convey the sense of two best buddies hanging out like teenagers, only when the action kicks in, they indulge in homicidal tendencies. There are some bloody deaths here that still surprise me by how graphic they are. I know this is Harley’s style, but I still get surprised when Quinn stabs a knife through a defeated enemy’s stomach. She is definitely a bad guy, which makes it very different to have her as the lead hero in this series. It sets this comic book apart from the rest of the New 52 and worth recommending.
The jokes are, as ever, told with perfect precision. It is the little details that make me chuckle. Harley’s pet beaver (the beaver jokes still aren’t getting old), gets shot through the chest, leaving a gaping hole in his body. He just rolls with it, already being dead and all, which is side-splittingly funny. Also, surely he doesn’t heal, seeing as he has already lost an eye and most of his face. Does that mean that for the rest of the series we will have this beaver with a gaping hole in his stomach? And this change has come about, so the writers could deliver a punchline to a background joke? Because, personally, I think that is bloody hilarious. Another frame sees a load of bullets miss the mark and half of a page is taken up showing those loose bullet’s path, as they destroy Harley’s neighbour’s apartment. It is a visual treat and boasts a massive imagination on the part of the writers.
Basically, out of all of the comic books I am reviewing for Inter-Comics right now, Harley Quinn is the best. Simple fun, wacky and not afraid to take risks with its hero and narrative: a refreshing break from the norm.
Quote of the Issue:
(Harley and Ivy are talking about what they should do with their brain-washed men.)
Harley: I’m keepin’ this one.
Ivy: Do what you want. Just put him away when I’m around.
Harley: Where should I put him?
For more comic views and reviews follow Luke on Twitter at @LukeBbtt and check out his website at www.oracleoffilm.com
Posted on June 20th, 2014
Category: ORACLE OF COMICS, REVIEWS
Tags: Batman, Comic Reviews, DC Comics, Harley Quinn #7 Review, Luke Abbott, Poison Ivy
By Chris Fenn
This new creative team is exactly what Detective Comics need. They make me want to just never stop reading, and I’m honestly considering going back to read their Flash run.
The art and page layout in this comic is utterly beautiful. Going through the book I took time to appreciate the first page, and the page where we see Annette walking down the pier; both have such wonderful layouts and really good use of panels.
I think my favourite image in the entire comic, and a contender for my favourite image of all time, is the two page splash featuring the creative credits. The setting sun juxtaposing with the darker sky not only looks good on the page but conveys the themes I want to see in a Batman comic; Batman being a saviour and a symbol of hope.
Whilst the art is utterly magnificent the writing is fantastic too. With a hardboiled detective like Bullock it seems easy to fall into cliché’s; have him having a drink at the bar and be snarky to everybody all the time – but showing him go home and listen to his voicemails has done more for his progression than anything else I’ve read before.
I also love the fact that so far we haven’t seen Batman stumble upon some ‘deus ex machina’ to get him to the killer and deal out justice. I like the fact that he had to interrogate a criminal to find where the victim’s car was before swimming to retrieve the evidence. I even like the fact that all that did was help him find a base without actually knowing who lurks there.
The end of the issue is excellent as well; Batman is without his utility belt and is in the middle of a Mexican Standoff. This scenario feels like something a street level hero would end up in; it isn’t a convoluted death trap, and the fate of Gotham doesn’t hang in the balance – it’s just so simple yet so brilliant.
I thought that with all the seemingly endless huge story arcs in DC at the moment I’d have run out of steam for a multiple issue Batman story in Detective Comics, but this has been such a pleasure to read. It doesn’t feel forced, or exhausting or like it’s trying to change the DC Universe as we know it.
For anybody who wants to read a good Batman story about a detective who takes on street level threats, please pick up Detective Comics by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato.
For more comic views and reviews follow Chris on Twitter at @fenneth1989
Posted on June 14th, 2014
Category: OUT OF THE LONG BOX, REVIEWS
Tags: Batman, Brian Buccellato, Chris Fenn, comics, DC Comics, Detective Comics #32 review, Francis Manapul
By Luke Abbott
I don’t know if it was the long wait for the next issue of Harley Quinn, especially after a lacklustre previous issue, but this comic really hit the spot.
It was just non-stop funny. Last time, the fact that the plot was advancing like a usual comic hurt the Harley Quinn madness. There was no time to take part in the usual Harley antics. This time out, the set-pieces were far more up Harley’s street, so the writers were able to milk comedy out of every angle. Just setting it in a zoo rather than a hospital ward was a much better decision. A zoo has far more possibilities for comical references, even if it is little more than Harley going from cold-blooded killer to a fourteen year old girl, petting a giraffe. This issue also moved at a much faster pace than anything we have seen before from Harley yet it worked. It crammed so much in, but it was never too much. The writers timed everything perfectly, which is hard to do with comedy, as you sometimes have to revel in a moment to squeeze every potential joke out from it. The only downside to the humour was the fact that it was still a little dependent on people finding the Russian accent funny. Even then, there were enough jokes to breeze over that small flaw. (On the other hand, I loved the fact the female Russian spy was called Bendemova. That was a good touch.)
The jokes weren’t even all in your face. There was a joke from every angle. One frame, there would be something massive and hilarious, like Harley crashing a helicopter two seconds after getting in it. However, because there was some space in the background, the writers threw in a small detail, where an insane person kills a homeless man. Who does that and why was it so funny? It was the norm that the comic book created and we were able to roll with this needless murder and act as though it was another day in the life of Harley. In fact, there are a lot of things here that only Harley Quinn could get away with. She mercilessly murders a helpless woman for her jewellery, kills someone over a Gran Torino she hypothetically could have inherited and has so few redeemable qualities. On paper, she is a useless hero to get behind. However, she is so honest about her evilness that it is so difficult to hate the character. Story-writing 101: it is always more fun to hang out with the bad guy.
Quote of the Issue:
Thug: Any last words?
Harley: Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis.
Thug: What’s that?
Harley: Longest word in the dictionary.
For more comic views and reviews follow Luke on Twitter at @LukeBbtt and check out his website at www.oracleoffilm.com
Posted on June 14th, 2014
Category: ORACLE OF COMICS, REVIEWS
Tags: Batman, comics, DC Comics, Harley Quinn #6 Review, Luke Abbott
By Chris Fenn
The finale to a series and the end of a hero.
I followed the Nightwing comics from getting back into the genre around Death of the Family. I’ve always liked Dick Grayson as a character; to me he’s always been everything Batman can’t be as well as being everything Batman needs.
Being the final issue to Nightwing’s ongoing a lot of loose ends have to be wrapped up. We get a good amount of recap through all of Dick’s history; but interestingly we get some references to Morrison’s run on Batman, as Dick mentions that “eventually, when I was needed, I was Batman”.
This is something that really confuses and annoys me about the New 52; they seem to want their cake and eat it. On the one hand they want a clean slate, with new beginnings and new origins, but on the other hand they reference a lot of pre-Flashpoint events which are not canon or party of the current continuity.
I suppose though, this can be an inherent problem when using an organisation like Spyral in a story like Batman incorporated. For anybody who doesn’t know, Batman Incorporated started in the pre-Flashpoint universe and focused on Batman making a global organisation to tackle the League of Assassins, headed by Talia. The story spilled over and was continued in The New 52, as a New 52 title, without any reboots or retcons. Events that took place in Batman Incorporated, such as the death of Damian, have also tied into other titles across the DC universe meaning that they are indeed cannon.
I know that may seem like a trivial thing to complain about when I am enjoying the stories I read, but I honestly cannot see the point of resetting a universe, or in this case multiverse, when creators do not treat a reset like a reset.
Moving on, one thing I truly loved about this issue was the fight between Dick and Bruce. I think it’s symbolic that both characters fought as Batman and Nightwing, and spoke as though this was a mission briefing, to finally end with the two men unmasked, arm around each other sharing a moment when the son makes the father proud.
A beautiful touch in this is seeing Alfred continue to perform his duties, but to have tears streaming down his face. It’s simply heart breaking to watch Alfred in Batman comics; the amount of mourning he does for all the family he has lost, but he always returns to his duties and tries to help everybody as best as he can.
One thing I have ignored is the opening to this issue. As this is effectively an issue #0 for Dick Grayson, we get some villains and key characters established. It’s hard to properly react to a band of people who kill for killings sake, but as a device I suppose it’s interesting. I liked how the vehicle they drove was “Un Cheval Pale” – or “The Pale Horse” – as you can’t beat some biblical imagery, especially when it references Death from the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse!
For more comic views and reviews follow Chris on Twitter at @fenneth1989
Posted on May 31st, 2014
Category: OUT OF THE LONG BOX, REVIEWS
Tags: Batman, Bruce Wayne, Chris Fenn, Comic Reviews, DC Comics, Dick Grayson, Nightwing #30 Review
By Chris Fenn
After reading this I regard it to be the direct sequel to the Forever Evil story. This issue strikes me as really interesting, especially as the first few pages take place in ‘the present’ and the rest of the issue is four days ago.
When we open we see the surviving members of the Crime Syndicate plotting on how best to bring down the Justice League; cut to an awesome two page splash of the seven members of The Justice League. Now this doesn’t seem too much out of the ordinary until you notice that instead of there being Superman and The Flash we now have Lex Luthor and Captain Cold.
Now what I really enjoyed about this issue was the role reversal between Superman and Lex Luthor. Everything Lex does and says in this issue is seemingly for the greater good of the world, and it is Superman who is driven by distrust and hatred to cast him away. Now, I can completely understand Superman’s viewpoint on Lex Luthor, but having watched him save the world and volunteer to be under the scrutiny of the lasso of truth it is difficult to disregard him so easily.
We do get a remnant of Forever Evil carry over in the sense that there will be a new Power Ring villain, who the Justice League have already set their sights on. Now I’m sure this will act as a main arc, and will provide some information on the destroyer of Earth-3 (for those who haven’t read it – do so NOW!).
The conclusion of this issue is something that really interested me; Lex Luthor comes knocking for Batman. Now this did remind me slightly of Rock of Ages, as Lex opposes Batman using business tactics, and there have been hints that LexCop is trying to forge partnerships with Wayne Enterprises in the comic, however I have a feeling that this won’t entirely play out like this. I do think Lex Luthor rivaling Batman will be very interesting, as both are the finest specimens the human race has to offer and both sort of mirror each other.
It’s good to see that Johns hasn’t run out of steam since Forever Evil, and I predict that the Justice League books are certainly worth keeping an eye out for in the coming months.
For more comic views and reviews follow Chris on Twitter at @fenneth1989
Posted on May 23rd, 2014
Category: OUT OF THE LONG BOX, REVIEWS
Tags: Batman, Chris Fenn, DC Comics, forever evil, Geoff Johns, Justice League #30 Review, lex luthor, Superman, Wonder Woman
By Chris Fenn
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve done a review, and I thought I’d come back in style and review a comic I’ve been waiting for since October of last year; Forever Evil #7.
All of the side series sub-plots have built up and become real in this issue. We see Cyborg with the Lasso of Truth, we hear the Martian Manhunter and we also see the ‘corpse’ of Grid.
The main spotlight for this issue is Lex Luthor, and we get to see the many facets of his personality and character. We get glimpses of his mercy and humanity when he resuscitates Nightwing, clears the name of his fellow villains, pays Deathstroke and mourns the loss of his monster. One of his most heroic moments seems to be saving Superman’s life, something I imagine factors a lot into his future in the Justice League.
One of Lex’s closing moments is him telling Ted Kord to keep his father’s business; though this does act as a good set up for the introduction of another hero, it beautifully mirrors Lex’s first appearance in Forever Evil, where he destroys a business man’s life and family because he wouldn’t sell his company to him.
This isn’t to say that ol’ Lex is going soft on us, as we watch him out-think all of the Powerhouses of Earth-3. I loved that he was smart enough to think to use his own voice to depower Alexander Luthor, and the way he is happy to let Ultraman suffer knowing he is the weakest man on the planet was brilliant. Swift vengeance against Atomica was simple yet ultimately rewarding. Remember readers; being human doesn’t mean you can’t be awesome.
One thing I did sort of contemplate was why Alexander Luthor was seemingly just as evil as the rest of the Crime Syndicate. I kept thinking that Earth-3 was where the good guys were bad and the bad guys were good, but I think this is a pre New-52 idea. In this continuity it is stated that Earth-3 was the birthplace of evil, so perhaps everybody is evil, Alexander just seemed the best of a bad bunch.
One thing I did really love about this book was the way John’s added in little moments that didn’t really matter but made the characters seem so much more real. One example is when Sinestro and Black Adam discuss the country Black Adam used to lead, and a few pages over Sinestro encourages Adam to do it “for Kahndaq”. Another nice character interaction is where Luthor shakes hands with a distracted Batman and steals his kryptonite ring; just another moment to show that even when there’s everything to lose Lex Luthor still looks out for Lex Luthor.
So, what’s in store for the DC Universe now that Forever Evil is over? Judging by the cover of Justice League #30 we have Luthor fighting for the good of the world. We also have Owlman free within our Earth, and after showing some remnants of a conscience and good in him could he prove to be an ally, villain or something in between? Then there’s the Anti-Monitor.
The final page shows us the Anti-Monitor speaking to his herald. The herald is unknown and may prove to be something or somebody interesting in the future, however one thing I focused on was Anti-Monitor wanted to face off with Darkseid. Could this mean our heroes side with the Lord of Apokolips for the sake of the Universe; whatever happens ti will be a good time to read comic books.
For more comic views and reviews follow Chris on Twitter at @fenneth1989
Posted on May 22nd, 2014
Category: Blog, OUT OF THE LONG BOX, REVIEWS
Tags: Batman, Bizarro, crime syndicate, Dick Grayson, Forever Evil #7 review, Geoff Johns, lex luthor, Nightwing
By Luke Abbott
This week, Gordon goes on trial, provoking some angry feelings inside of Barbara, also known as the Batgirl. Batman begins to see parts of his earlier self inside her, mainly the anger at the injustice of Gotham. He might have to put investigating Gordon’s trial on hold to make sure that she isn’t about to do something stupid. Meanwhile, Bard struggles to stay afloat amidst the corruption of Gotham, Gordon’s troubles appear to only just be beginning and Stephanie, after finding out her father was the Cluemaster last issue, has no idea just how deep the conspiracy goes, and how much danger she is actually in.
Injustice For All is a bit of a poor issue. I picked out two reasons for this. The main point is that there is a little too much to cover. This is a common problem with the Batman universe, as there are so many characters to cover. Having the main focus of your mystery as police corruption is fine in itself, but it means that we have to keep jumping to all of these characters. Bard needs to be checked in on, so the reader knows that he is an essential part to the narrative, but at the same time, we don’t want to forget about Gordon, who is meant to be one of the most important characters in the whole story arc. On top of that, we have Batgirl. While it actually makes sense to explore Barbara Gordon’s reaction to the whole drama, as she is the daughter of the guy being put on trial, I hope that the writers aren’t going to keep doing this with other characters. For example, do we have to cover what every ex-Robin is going through in future issues? It keeps this issue stagnant and before long I can see the actual Batman being pushed out of his own story.
The other annoying factor here is poor writing. I get the elements of the issue’s story, but the comic struggles to get from Point A to Point B. Two moments in this issue severely lost track of logic. There is a scene where Batman breaks into Falcone’s penthouse and learns his side of the story. However, he does very little in this scene. He breaks through, has an obligatory awesome Batman fight scene and then ‘chats’ with the guy who he believes is the mastermind of the whole thing. He literally accuses Falcone and then just walks off into the night, without even trying to get any answers from the supposed big bad guy of the conspiracy. While it covers up the plot hole of ‘can’t Batman just take Falcone out right now?’, it throws up so many other questions and gaps in logic that the scene fell flat. The other terrible piece of writing was when he confronts Batgirl in the Batcave. Yes, she is angry and yes, she should be watched, but she actually uncovers a pretty, big clue. It is probably going to be a red herring, because the writers want to go down the road of Barbara’s judgement being clouded, but at the same time, shouldn’t Batman at least hear her out? She pretty much has figured out something that could crack the case wide open and all he does is lecture her on her understandable anger. Batman is very unBatman-like this issue.
It’s not all bad. The Cluemaster subplot is turning into my favourite part of Batman Eternal, with another neat plot development. The cliffhanger was pretty creepy and promises a good fifth issue. And, while I have already made this point and will make it again several more times, when the next issue comes out in a week’s time, I find myself OK with a substandard story. Hopefully this is nothing but a small wobble on a pretty great story arc.
Quote of the Issue:
Leo: Cops in Blackgate… they don’t tend to last very long. And cops in Blackgate Gen-Pop? Well, they might as well skip the trial and hand you your death.
For more comic views and reviews follow Luke on Twitter at @LukeBbtt and check out his website at www.oracleoffilm.com
Posted on May 4th, 2014
Category: ORACLE OF COMICS, REVIEWS
Tags: Batgirl, Batman, Batman Eternal #4 Review, Comic Review, DC Comics, James Tynion IV, Jim Gordon, Luke Abbott, Scott Snyder
By Luke Abbott
Previously on Batman Eternal, we saw Jim Gordon go from hero to villain, when he fired at an unarmed suspect, resulting in a catastrophic accident in the Underground. Batman is hot on the trails of the culprit, seeing as the police aren’t asking too many questions. Last issue ended with Batman realising that Carmine Falcone had one of his men on the scene, and the reader learns that that same Falcone is now getting close to the Mayor, which is bound to cause some trouble for Gotham in the next, few issues.
The good thing about Batman Eternal is the weekly series element. Even if one comic is slightly mediocre, we are willing to wait a few more issues to see the bigger picture. Other comics, like Harley Quinn, need to impress us time after time, as there are only out once a month, but there is a massive amount of freedom for the writers with Eternal. For example, the reveal of Falcone was a little unsatisfying for me (the way Batman trembled, you assumed it would be someone bigger), but it didn’t phase me too much, because Issue #3 was out before I could let the disappointment linger too much.
Issue #3 is still setting the scene really. We see Falcone make a move on Gotham and how everyone reacts to this. Batman is struggling to keep up with the onslaught of crime erupting from Gotham, the few remaining good cops are caught in a sea of corruption and a famous figure from Batman’s rogue gallery struggles to hold his dominance as Falcone turns up the heat. Looking back, this issue is little more than moving chess-pieces into position, but it still is an exciting read. The suspense and tension is dialled up to the maximum and we are clinging onto every thread of the story.
My favourite moment in the comic was the addition of the Cluemaster. Everyone has a good, little chuckle, as Cluemaster’s teenage daughter accidentally walks into one of his secret meetings. It is a very funny moment. And then that scene gets dark very quickly, in a way that only the Noir world of Batman can get away with. I know very little about the Cluemaster, but he seems very interesting, especially with some of his actions here. He doesn’t seem like a massive threat, but he seems an interesting character to explore at the very least.
Quote of the Week:
Great introduction to a favourite villain. (REDACTED VILLIAN): Oh, my dear, sweet girl. What kind of monster do you think I am? I fed him to an elephant seal three hours ago.
For more comic views and reviews follow Luke on Twitter at @LukeBbtt and check out his website at www.oracleoffilm.com
Posted on April 26th, 2014
Category: ORACLE OF COMICS, REVIEWS
Tags: Batman, Batman Eternal #3 Review, Comic Blog, Comic Reviews, DC Comics, James Tynion IV, Jim Gordon, Luke Abbott, Penguin, Scott Snyder
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