By Glen Ludlow
“Touch me again and you will die.”
Finally. It’s over. Villains Month draws to a close and like the lame duck that it is Bane #1 comes stumbling over the hill to usher in the end of this completely pointless promotion. I’m not even sure what DC were trying to achieve here, other than sneaking in first issues of villains that then pick up in the various spin-off books that they pull out of the air when running one of their main events. It’s a pretty crappy tactic to use and has the reverse effect of making me want to read less, not more.
Anyway, I babble. The book basically tells Bane’s rise to power in Santa Prisca, how he uses followers as kindling for the fire that is coming (yep, heard this somewhere before) and how he comes to Gotham to challenge the demon that terrorises the streets’ criminals – yes, Batman. Then with a plan to break out all of the inmates of Blackgate to use his makeshift army to seize the city, you get the general idea.
I wasn’t impressed at all by this book. It was a dull read, offering little in the way of exploring Bane’s background, they just used this issue as a prequel book for Arkham War. So if you’re being drawn to this book expecting an exploration of the New 52′s Bane, don’t bother, you’re not going to find it here. You’re going to find a one-dimensional villain who echoes lines you would expect to have been left on the cutting room floor from Nolan’s editing room in The Dark Knight Rises. I’ve read it twice now and both times have a bitter feeling left in my mouth. It’s not so much from the writing of Peter Tomasi, it’s just DC’s up yours to their fans in delivering such flat, gimmicky books.
The artwork by Graham Nolan’s not bad. It reminds me of Jerry Conway’s for some reason. It’s not what you would call modern art, but it’s well-rooted in the superhero books of the nineties, not a bad thing in my eyes. Yes, the artwork isn’t bad, the colouring is a bit flat, but I don’t mind that, sometimes you can really over-colour a book.
So that’s Villains Month over with. I’m glad. I don’t want it to come round again as I didn’t appreciate it’s visit the first time.
For more comic views follow Glen on Twitter at @glenghiskhan and check out his blog for more reviews at www.glenludlow.blogspot.co.uk
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Posted on October 22nd, 2013
Category: PANELS OF INTEREST, REVIEWS
Tags: Bane, Batman, comics, dc, forever evil, Glen Ludlow, villains month
By Glen Ludlow
Villains Month from DC marches on as the spotlight falls on the Riddler for this standalone issue of Batman. Batman is missing and Wayne Enterprises is left to defend itself from the wrath of former employee Edward Nygma.
The Riddler is back in town to reap a revenge against those who tormented him when incarcerated at Arkham Asylum, whilst simultaneously pitching his wits against a supposedly foolproof security system.
To begin with, it’s not a bad book. Ray Fawkes handles Nygma with a narcissistic quality you would come to expect from someone who brags they are Gotham’s smartest criminal. His riddles keep those involved, and us as readers guessing as to his motives for his schemes. Are they grand? Are they based on need or revenge? All in all I would have liked the issue to have been a little longer. Just when I was beginning to get into the story it was over.
The art by Jeremy Haun is satisfying. By no means is it amazing, but as an artist he’s growing and handles the script well. I particularly enjoyed how he depicts Nygma, breathing a true villainous quality into the master of puzzles. The book may be a cash-in but Haun shows he belongs in Gotham, and I’d like to see him make more visits.
In conclusion, it’s not a bad book, it’s a little lightweight, but I enjoyed it a lot more than the previous offering with the Joker. Worth picking up if you see it on the shelves.
For more comic views follow Glen on Twitter at @glenghiskhan and check out his blog for more reviews at www.glenludlow.blogspot.co.uk
Posted on October 1st, 2013
Category: PANELS OF INTEREST, REVIEWS
Tags: Batman, comics, dc, Glen Ludlow, Riddler, villains month
By Glen Ludlow
The Justice Leagues are dead. Earth is left defenceless. And from across the gulf of the Multiverse comes the Crime Syndicate of Earth-3 intent on conquering our world. Composed of evil counterparts of each member of our Justice League, the inhabitants of this world are given an ultimatum: fall into line or be destroyed!
The story begins with Lex Luthor threatening to throw a business rival from a helicopter unless he let’s him purchase his family run business. Luthor’s scheme is cut off when the helicopter loses power and falls from the sky. The reason? Ultraman, the Earth-3 counterpart of Superman breaks into the Lexcorp building in search of Kryptonite, using the substance to fuel his superpowers. Ultraman requests that Grid, the sentient cybernetic implants of Cyborg, locate all of the Kryptonite on this world so his supply does not run out. To keep this planet in chaos, Grid is releasing all superhuman prisoners back into the world.
Nightwing is abducted by the Crime Syndicate and unmasked live on television. With the dawning realisation that the Justice League aren’t going to intervene, and the moon blocking out the sun, the one thing that weakens Ultraman, Luthor realises this really might be a job for Superman, but where is he?
Straight off I wasn’t too keen on this issue on my first read. As is often the case it required a couple of reads before I could form a full opinion on it, and I’m glad I gave it a second chance. Considering this is the opening of an event book, Geoff Johns handles the premise with ease and flair. He’s always been very good at escalating a story with the right tempo and pacing to build on what’s come before, and he’s no different here. The villains in this aren’t presented as two-dimensional goons waiting to get beat up, but instead we get to see a bit more of their character. In particular one small scene is when Captain Cold expresses concern for his hospitalised sister and vows vengeance should anything happen to her. It’s not a major part of the book but it’s little slices like this that make the villains more relatable in terms of empathy.
The other character that really rocks here is Luthor. He goes from his sociopathic best right off the bat, threatening to throw a business rival from a helicopter, to by the end of the issue stepping up to the plate when he realises the world might actually need the alien he’s tried so desperately to kill in the past. It’s certainly an interesting peek into the other viewpoint of the DC universe, and the tantalising cliffhanger at the end ensures I’ll be picking up issue two.
David Finch’s artwork is class A as is usually expected of the man. He always brings his A-game to whatever book he’s working on, and it’s no different here. For a book of this magnitude this is where you get your Finches or your Capullos to illustrate. You need that blockbuster eye that they bring to it. My only issue with the book was Richard Friend’s inks were a bit too heavy at times, but that’s down to personal taste more than anything.
On a whole, it’s a great start to what I hope is a very entertaining event book. They’ve certainly got the right team on it anyway, so if they can keep the momentum going, then I think we’re in for a real treat!
For more comic views follow Glen on Twitter at @glenghiskhan and check out his blog for more reviews at www.glenludlow.blogspot.co.uk
Posted on October 1st, 2013
Category: PANELS OF INTEREST, REVIEWS
Tags: comics, crime syndicate, dc, forever evil, Glen Ludlow, lex luthor, lexcorp, suicide squad, villains month
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