Review by Chris Fenn
Coming in to this issue I didn’t know what to expect. I have seen the front cover advertised in previous ‘Bat’ comics, and I read the preview from Batman #28, but in all honesty I sort of didn’t know what to expect.
I am happy to say that this seems like a welcome blend of suspense, action and mystery. I feel like I’m going to like this comic.
The beginning of the comic really made me think of Grant Morrison. Now I know I seem to say that an awful lot, but hear me out; the city being on fire with Batman at the heart of the destruction seems very reminiscent of Damian’s possible future from Incorporated. I love the disembodied voice talking at Bruce, and the intensity and pain in the eyes of the fallen Batman.
The set up with the new cop was really nice. I don’t believe I’ve seen the corrupt cop before, but he reminded me of Flass, or at least that sort of dirty, power hungry archetype. I found that despite most of the cops being new they all fit in well and felt familiar; they had enough depth and character that I could believe in them all without wanting an entire issue dedicated to the GCPD.
The obvious mystery of this story will be what happened to Jim. As the reader we saw the gun Jim saw, but seemingly nobody else did. Is this all a dream? Is there somebody manipulating perception? Does this mean that Gotham may not really be burning? I certainly don’t know; but I do intend to keep on reading and find out!
For more comic views and reviews follow Chris on Twitter at @fenneth1989
Posted on April 10th, 2014
Category: OUT OF THE LONG BOX, REVIEWS
Tags: Batman Eternal #1 Review, Bruce Wayne, Comic Reviews, DC Comics, James Tynion IV, Jim Gordon, John Layman, Ray Fawkes, Scott Snyder, Tim Seeley
Reviewed by Chris Fenn
This week DC readers were treated to not one but two titles with the Scarecrow in a leading role; here in Detective Comics and also in Arkham War. This is the first full Detective Comics issue dedicated to Gothtopia, but we did get an introduction in Detective Comics #27 and it looked very promising.
I do have to say that I feel looks were deceiving this issue. There were things I liked about the book, but on the whole I wasn’t overly impressed with it. The biggest gripe I have is the pacing of the issue. The set up in the Detective Comics #27 had the correct pacing; despite it only being a shorter story it created anticipation and made me want to follow the story.
When I read this issue I just felt as if everything was rushed. Within 5 pages Batman has; freed Poison Ivy, got her to work with him, learned the Scarecrows plot, manufactured an antidote to his new gas and subdued everyone in Arkham Asylum. Now for me a lot of these events could have been made longer otherwise it makes Scarecrows new gas seem very ineffectual if it can be so easily countered.
Pacing aside, the issue did end with a decent cliff hanger; Batman having to face off against his allies, and I suppose freeing the city from the Scarecrows gas will be more difficult than a building that he can use the ventilation to his advantage, so it will be interesting to see how Scarecrow fares in the limelight away from Arkham War.
One of the highlights of this issue for me was the perceptions of various people. I really liked how we were shown the Gothtopia versions of Dr. Jonathan Crane, Victor Fries and Lazlo Valentin and then shown the real world Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze and Professor Pyg. I also really liked the intense fear versions of Pyg and Scarecrow, it reminded me a lot of how the Scarecrow segments worked in the Animated Series and in the Arkham games.
I will keep reading the Gothtopia event, but I don’t think it’s going to be anywhere near as good as Forever Evil or Zero Year, but as I said in my opening paragraph it is nice to see some Scarecrow love!
For more comic views and reviews follow Chris on Twitter at @fenneth1989
Posted on February 11th, 2014
Category: OUT OF THE LONG BOX, REVIEWS
Tags: Aaron Lopresti, Batman, Chris Fenn, Comic Blog, Comic Reviews, DC Comics, Detective Comics #28 Review, Jason Fabok, John Layman, Scarecrow
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