DC COMICS PRESENTS : BATMAN - BAD #1 Collects Legend of the Dark Knight 146 147 148 179 LOTDK

BAD: {Writer: Doug Moench, Artist: Barry Kitson, Separations: Digital Chameleon, Colorist: James Sinclair, Editors: Harvey Richards & Andrew Helfer}
Rating 3 out of 5

BAD wasn't bad enough to be called good, or...um...good enough to be called BAD.



The writer, Doug Moench, is great when it comes to sound effects, but the title makes you want more. Just like his book "Book of the Dead," with that awesome title you need an awesome story, or it falls flat. {Link to Review}

Some of BAD I did enjoy, like Batman's (Bruce Wayne's) interaction with the psychiatrist, but there wasn't enough BADassness to give the title of "BAD" to it.  The story over all wasn't as exciting as Prey with Hugo Strange as the psychiatrist that Moench also wrote.  The art was pretty good but no grand splash pages, and the ending was just Meh.

There are more spoilers further below to BAD in red, but there is a second story in this trade paperback called FULL CIRCLE.
{Writer: A J Lieberman, Artist: Greg Scott,Colorist: Lee Loughridge, Letterer: Clem Robins, Editors: Matt Idelson and Nachie Castro }
Rating 1 out of 5
Biggest waste of paper, that I've seen in a long time. Batman shows up on the last page assessing the scene, all the pages before lead up to it... AND it wasn't anything you haven't seen before. It was basically a story of the development of a dull bad guy. I didn't care for the art either. I didn't include it in the overall rating because I feel it would bring the TPB rating too low, even for BAD.

Some SPOILERS for BAD general plot:

Batman comes across a criminal, named Jordy, with a split personality.  He has a good side and a bad side. The bad side generally likes to do really bad stuff, like get even with those around him to a point of killing them. Batman sees a psychiatrist for help in capturing Jordy.  The psychiatrist asks questions that could pertain to him as well as Jordy, since he lives two separate lives, one as Batman and one as Bruce Wayne.  Making Bruce/Batman doubt his own motives and sanity.

Superman / Batman : Sorcerer Kings TPB single Issues 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 Review

Rating 4 out of 5

You get 4 full stories in one TPB but they range from great to meh and I'm not sure if any will make it into continuity, especially the streamline continuity we have now in the DC universe {rolleyes}.

The stories are as follows:
 
1. "Who Would Win?"- Only 15 pages long in issue 78, but full of fun. Batman and Superman face off. Rating 4.5 out of 5
Writers: Joe & Jack Kelly, Artist: Ed Benes, Colorist: Pete Pantazis, Letterer: Swands, Associate Editor: Rex Ogle, Editor: Eddi Berganz

2. A World of Their Own - Only 8 pages long in issue 78. Has Huntress and Power Girl version of the S/B pair, It was kinda of a downer and felt unresolved. Rating 2.5 of 5.
Writer: Amanda McMurray, Art: Brett Booth, colors: Andrew Dalhouse, Letters: Swands

3.Worlds' Finest - Two issues long, Issues 79-80. Batman, Robin, and Superman from year One Million chase a time traveling criminal who runs to the past only to meet up with Batman (Bruce), Robin(Dick), and Superman (Clark). Rating 3.3 out of 5
Writer:  Chris Roberson, Artist: Jesus Merino, Colorist: Blond, Letterer: Swands

4. SORCERER KINGS - Four issues, Issues 81-84, This story is great! Rating 4.5 out of 5. Medieval Batman from the future recruits Superman from current day to help him correct what will be a pivotal point in time, while Batman of current day searches for Superman with the help of The Shadowpact. A good deal of Magic is involved.
Writer: Cullen Bunn, Penciller: Chriscross, Inker: Marc Deering, Colorist: Brad Anderson, Letterer: John J Hill

Hold on to your hat for the spot on Cameos in Sorcerer Kings:

Phantom Stranger
Blue Devil
Ragman
Warlocks Daughter
Detective Chimp
Doctor Occult
Felix Faust
Blackbriar Thorn
Brother Blood
Morgaine Le Fey
Klarion The Witch Boy (current)

Creeper (Alternate future version)

Klarion The Warlock(future)
Teekl (Klarion's cat)
Traci 13
Jason Blood/Etrigan
Arthur Curry
Stanley Dover and his Monster
Firestorm (alternate future version)
            AND

Batwing as a dragon.




SPOILERS for Sorcerer Kings:

The first time I read the story it was the Monthly issues and I had a long enough gap between issues it was hard from me to get into what was going on by the next issue and the action scenes I had trouble following, BUT when I read them all together it was a different story and I enjoyed it very much and with the action scenes when I followed the Sword of Superman they went a lot better.
Some of the things I didn't like is the future characterization of the Creeper as a bad guy, I just don't believe he would turn, but I got over it pretty fast.
Future Batman had a new partner called Nina, that was a change of pace from the brightly colored Robins, but I liked her from the beginning, even when she transforms into a ghoul.

With all that you get out of this trade, I think it's more then worth the price. Amazon currently has it for $13.94 new.

BATMAN: Legends of the Dark Knight BLINK 156 157 158 Action Comics 847 DC Comics presents TPB

RATING 3.3 out of 5

It wasn't bad but wasn't great either. The DC Presents BATMAN: Blink TPB actually has two complete stories. Both written by Dwayne McDuffie. One is actually a Superman story with no Batman in it. 

1. BLINK: Legends of the Dark Knight 156-158 Rating 3.4 out of 5
Penciller: Val Semeiks, Inker: Dan Green, Colorist: James Sinclair, Letterer: Kurt Hathaway, Seperations by Digital Chameleon, Editor: Andy Helfer

BLINK was well written but the story itself was unmemorable. I would say it wasn't very memorable at all, because I had read it once before and completely forgot about it.  The plot has Batman teaming up with a blind grifter who's an eye witness to a serial murder. The blind grifter has a special talent of being able to see through the eyes of someone else after he has touched them.


2. INTERMEZZO: Action Comics 847 Rating 3 out of 5
Art and Color: Renato Guedes, Letterer: Travis Lanham, Ass Editor: Nachie Caskra, Editor: Matt Welson.

INTERMEZZO was very bland. Ma and Pa Kent are worried about Clark because he has been missing, and Pa Kent remembers a adventure he had with Clark that they kept secret from Ma Kent.

I liked the art in the Blink better, I think its because of the colors of James Sinclair, also the story had some suspense and the idea of a blind grifter that could see through others eyes was intriguing, but this would not be a story I would recommend as a "must have".  If the DC Presents series was to showcase McDuffie's writing I wouldn't have suggested it for that either.

BATMAN : Legends of the Dark Knight : The Demon Laughs 142 143 144 145 TPB Review

RATING 4 out of 5:
Writer: Chuck Dixon, Penciller: Jim Aparo, Inker: John Cebollero, Colorists: Noelle Giddins, James Sinclair, Letterer: Bill Oakley, Editor: Andy Helfer, Assistant Editor: Harvey Richards

CHUCK DIXON!!! What else do I need to say?
Okay...well maybe a little more.
Oh how Oh HOW... I wish he was back at DC, writing for the characters I love. Dixon knows these characters and knows how to tell a story. Alright...I'm done...oops one more....DIXON!!!Come BACK!!!

Cough cough...I think I'm good now....

The Demon Laughs is mostly a stage for Joker. All the other characters are just cameo's circling around the master. The covers of the single issues are awesome. The interior art is passable, no two page splashes, mostly just story, but Aparo's facial expressions for the Joker are great.

The Plot: Joker is recruited by Ra's Al Ghul in his plan to reshape the world into his view of Utopia. It is all that Batman can do to track these two down to stop them before these partners in crime
 succeed.

SPIOLERS (minor):

Good ol' Ra's really got more then what he bargained for when he decided to use Joker in his plans. Joker "doesn't care if he wins or loses," he just want's part of the game. 

Ra's playing the straight man to Joker's high jinx's was perfect. After all, Ra's is uptight, straight laced, and arrogant, a great foil for all of Joker's one liners. 

The biggest problem I have with this story is the same problem I have with all of these types of plots.  Whether it is Ra's Al Ghul or Lex Luther...recruiting Joker.  I have trouble believing that these particular straight men would actually illicit help from Joker.  Ra's is a maniacal master mind in his own standing.  WHY would he break anyone out of Arkham for help, when they couldn't break themselves out of Arkham...etc?

The other thing is that it is mostly a Joker story...not much of a Batman story, but even with that, while reading... I came to want more Ra's/Joker panels just to see Jokers high jinxes with Ra's.

BATMAN : THE LONG HALLOWEEN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Mini TPB Review

Rating 4.9 out of 5

Originally published in 1997 this mini still has kick and eye appeal.
It's a staple of Batman fandom.  If you start a question asking "What Batman/Bruce Wayne story's should I read?"...this one indubitably comes up.  There are, of course,  nay sayer's of this story but we'll get into that in the spoilers.

Jeph Loeb created a wonderful work of mystery in this mini and Tim Sale...sold it. Tim Sale really knows how to tell a story with his craft.  Also, let's not forget Gregory Wright who did the colors, the coloring brought out the drama of the story.    With the holiday's coming up this is a good time for DC to reprint the Trade Paperback.  The leaves falling outside my window and the moody weather helps with the tone of the story.

The Long Halloween is about a killer nicknamed Holiday because he kill's on holiday's starting with Halloween.  In the background of the story you have Captain Gordan and District Attorney Harvey Dent trying to fit their family's into their life of fighting crime.  The story has tons of wonderful cameos from the villain elites of Gotham city as it travels from one holiday to the next. I've got to admit the twist and turns at the end of the story did throw me.

Cameo's include:

Calender Man
Joker
Catwoman
Scarecrow
Mad Hatter
Poison Ivy
Riddler
Solomon Grundy
Two Face
The Falcone mobster family

It really is a great read just for the amount of story you get with all these characters.

SOME SPOILERS:

My biggest peeve and the main reason I can't give it a 5 out 5, is that it takes Bruce 13 months to solve the crime.  I mean....come on... this is Batman...it shouldn't have took him but a couple of days... max. I also have a problem with Riddler being portrayed as a deuce. All the other villians came out looking really villianey but Riddler lack any evil sparkle.

Otherwise it's a awesome story.

JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST 2011 Vol 2 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

RATING 4.5 out of 5

This is the second half  and the conclusion of the Justie League: Generation Lost storyline which has been a great ride from start to finish.

You don't need the Brightest Day storyline at all. The only connection to Brightest Day was Max Lord's Mission from the White Lantern and it was only a minor subplot that was handled inside these issues.



 
In the Brightest Day main storyline his mission is barely even mentioned or what he did to assigned and that he succeeded in his mission,  which you also see in this mini. If any thing the Brightest Day storyline needs these issues to make that storyline feel complete.

You do need Vol 1 which I also reviewed(link).

Judd Winick did a awesome job...with this storyline and I'm not sure how much of the plot belongs to Keith Giffen, but Giffen is a master story teller that gave Winick an awesome story to tell.  The story revolves around the defunct Justice League International which was a series that Keith Giffen was the main writer.

SPOILERS:

YEA!...Batman shows up, in issue 22 of the series. I do love Batman. What's even better is that he doesn't steal the show. He was part of the original Justice League International, so it was great to have him on board.

Winick didn't let him steal the essence of the story away from the characters that started it. In the end, it was the team that started the series that resolved it, and that's how a story should wrap up.

This was a great read.


Justice League : Generation Lost Vol 2 Brightest Day
Writer : Judd Winick
Pencils: Joe Bennett, Aaron Lopresti, Fernando Dagnino
Inks: Jack Jadson & Ruy Jose, Matt Ryan, Raul Fernandez
Colors Hi-Fi
Letters: Sal Cipriano, Swands, John J Hill
Covers: Cliff Chiang, Dustin Nguyen, Kevin Maguire, Aaron Lopresti
Editors: Rex Ogle & Brian Cunningham

BATMAN 198 review 80 page Giant

RATING:
4.3 out of 5

It's contains reissues of several stories that were published previously, but if you can't find the original sources this issue is a great alternative. Even though Batman isn't as grim as he is today, these stories were fun and full of action.  You've got to expect a few "Golly Gee Whiz"s, but if you find a Batman 198, snatch it up and enjoy a simpler time.

There are seven complete stories in this 80-page giant. Below is a list of the stories. I've included spoilers for what happened in each and  I've included the splash page for each.  There are no credits except for Bob Kane's signature, but if you click on this:
Link on creators 
Someone at the Grand Comics Database tracked down the creators.

 1. The Origin of the Batman:

Originally in Batman #47-"The Tale of the Caped Crimebuster's showdown with the man who murdered his parents!"

SPOILER:

In this story Batman sees Joe Chill, a local gangster, and recognizes him as the man who killed his parents. He confronts him and reveals he is Bruce Wayne. Joe Chill runs and tells his henchmen that he was responsible for creating Batman. The henchmen turn on Joe Chill and shoot him, because he created Batman.

A version of this story was on the animated series Batman: Brave and the Bold, "Chill of the Night".

2. The Jungle Cat-Queen:
 Original story in Detective #211-"The Catwoman...Princess of Plunder...bedevils the Dynamic Duo on an island populated by prowling jungle cats."

SPOILER:
Batman and Robin chase the Empress of the Underworld, Catwoman, to her island hideout. The locals capture the dynamic duo, but before they are shot in a volley of gunfire, Catwoman steps in and convinces the locals that there is more fun in hunting the dynamic duo through the local jungle.  She also has the locals take off the duo's costumes and dress them in jungle attire.  She mockingly chases them, then the locals catch Batman again.  Catwoman has them put back on Batman's costume and the locals toss him over a waterfall.  Catwoman is distressed because she thought Batman died in the waterfall fall, "Batman... gone. and  I thought he'd save himself...He always has in the past."
BUT he had survived and with Robin's help captures the locals, but Catwoman gets away.

This was a very fun story, and much better told then the teaser in the Batman: Brave and the Bold episode "Shadow of the Bat'. The art is great and very detailed.

 3. The Web of the Spinner

Original from Batman #129-"...Batwoman, teaming with the Titanic Twosome to tackle the whirligig of crime, the Spinner!"

SPOILER:

Batwoman does make a cameo in this story and with her help ascertained who the Spinner was and captured him.
It's my least favorite of the stories.

Both her and the Spinner show up in the Batman: Brave and the Bold episode, "The Criss Cross Conspiracy!"

 4. The Man of 1,000 Umbrellas

Originally syndicated in the Sunday Newspapers-"The Penguin forgets his fowl play ofr a day to welcome his Aunt Miranda and introduce her to his "Friends"- Batman and Robin!"

SPOILER:

This was very fun...with the Penguin trying to get away from the dynamic duo and at the same time keep his aunt in the dark about his nefarious ways.  Batman and Robin are soft hearted toward the aunt and keep Penguins facade of being a umbrella manufacturer. Finally the aunt has to leave to catch a train for home and the Penguin is caged.

 5. The Crimes of Batman
Originally in World's Finest #61-"When the Joker nabs Robin, Batman must ransom his sidekick by cheating, stealing and killing!"

SPOILER:

This was great...
Joker feels that Batman has made a fool of him by getting him to help solve a crime, like a lawman. Joker decides to turn the tide and make Batman turn into a criminal. He captures Robin, and tells Batman, "You shall CHEAT, STEAL, And KILL..in that order! AND each event must be well-publicized so that th world knows of your guilt! Ho-Ho-Ho! Failure to do this will result in Robin's Death!"

Batman achieves all three without actually doing the crimes, with the finale ending up with Batman,  "Killing two birds with one stone!" by capturing the Joker and freeing Robin. 

As I said, this was great with Batman having the mental triumph  over Joker.

 6. The Menace of False Face
Originally in Batman #113-"You've seen him battle Batman on TV! Now read the story of the first clash between False Face and the Cowled Crusader."

SPOILER:
False Face poses as well known wealthy men to steal treasure. Batman tracks him down, then poses as False Face letting the henchmen lead him to the lair where all the stolen goods are being kept. This had a good surprise reveal of Batman as False Face.

7. The Bandit of the Bells

Originally in Batman #55-"The bells are ringing...for wrong...when the Gong and his gang of goons strike...and come face-to -face with Batman and Robin!

SPOILER:

Despite the cacophony of sound this would be of lower decibel then the other stories, but it was still entertaining to see how the duo gets off of a buoy and how they track him down from a small whole punch of a bell.



I hope that all of you enjoyed this little blast from the past. I know I did. -AA

DC Presents : BATMAN - IRRESISTIBLE: TPB Includes: Legends of the Dark Knight 169 170 171, HOURMAN 22 Review

Originally published as Legends of Dark Knight 169-171 in 2003

RATING: 2.9 out of 5 for the Trade Paper back as a whole.
The first story in this trade:

Batman: Irresistible: 

Writer: Tom Peyer, Pencilleer: Tony Harris, Inkers: Tony Harris,Wade Von Grawbadger &
Wayne Faucher, Colorist: J. D. Mettler and Tony Harris, Separator: JD Mettler, Letterer: Kurt Hathaway,  Editor: Harvey Richards


  
Rating 2.5 out of 5 on individual story.
The story is kinda meh... I felt nothing but resentment for the main character of the story which wasn't Batman. It kinda reminded me of the more recent Streets of Gotham series, where the stories are told more from the perspective of the bad guy, yet it isn't as good as the Paul Dini's stories. Not that Tom Peyer did a awful job, it just was ...blah.  The ending was I guess one of those happy endings, yet I really didn't think the guy deserved happiness.  It had some cute moments of dialogue between Bruce and Alfred, but all in all it's not a story I would rave about or even remember.

SPOILERS FOR FIRST STORY, skip to next story review in Blue.

A guy with a drastically deformed face, has the power to manipulate minds once he shakes their hand. He holds a lot of resentment against his parents and uses this power to get beer and women...until he starts to get crafty and get wealthy, but he finds all of this unsatisfying because he wants people to accept him as himself. {Even though he is crass and generally unlikable person.}  In the end, he decides not to use his gifts anymore and Batman checks him into a mental hospital, and his parents reconcile with him.  YAWWWWN...luckily this is only three issues long, or the rating would have been lower.
 

  Second story REVIEW:
HOURMAN Issue 22
Title: The Chrono Bums
Writer: Tom Peyer, Artist: Tony Harris,  Colorist: John Kalisz, Separator: Heroic Age,  Letterer: Kurt Hathaway,  Editor: Tony Bedard.
Originally published Jan 2001.
RATING 3.2 out of 5

What the heck?!!!...where's the rest of the story. This is like the beginning of the end for the Hourman series, so you need issue 23-25 to finish it. This series was fun and enjoyable... and this issue was fun...but it is NOT a done-in-one story issue...and you will want to read the rest, which is only available on ebay...if you are lucky, so even though I may want to give it higher points on the fun factor, I can't because it leaves you hanging. After reading these two stories, I've concluded that Tom Peyer should have stuck to creating light hearted fun which he excelled at. Same with the artist, Tony Harris, the art in Hourman has a fun enjoyable feel.

PUBLISHER: DC COMICS

SUPERMAN/BATMAN: TORMENT! issues 37 38 39 40 41 42 TPB Review

RATING 3.4 out of 5

Dustin Nguyen's art is as great as ever in Torment. The story is not bad, but...just ah...how can I say this... some people's Torment is other people's pleasure. Superman seems to be in 'torment' while Batman is  mostly getting "action".  Wink wink nudge nudge.
The writer, Alan Burnett, does hand out a bit of mystery, and the dialogue is decent, so it's a decent story. While the storyline is wrapped up in this trade, it does leave a teaser for the storyline that followed when the original issues came out, called, Death of the New Gods.


Spoilers 

I'm sure most of you have heard of Bruce falling through time by being shot by Darkseid's omega sanction (Return of Bruce Wayne), that was Grant Morrsion's version of torment.

WELL.. here is Alan Burnett's version  of putting Bruce through Torment: The goddess of Desire from Apokolips, Bekka, has to save Bruce by... stripping him naked and putting him in bed. 

While... Superman has a mental breakdown handed to him by Scarecrow.  

Hmmm ....something doesn't seem fair in the handing out of Torment. 

But Sups does... get to face off with Bruce in a fight.. why wouldn't he want to, wouldn't you.. if you got such a bum deal.
 
Whose behind all this Torment? 

If you haven't guessed from the covers, I'm not telling ya...

Anyway...later in the story, Bruce does get to return Bekka the favor of saving his life... by saving her life, which includes...stripping her down naked ....and bed..ding her. 
Poor poor Bruce and Bekka...such such torment.

By the way...Bekka is Orion's wife, so why wasn't Bruce put in the line-up of suspects when Orion was found dead in Final Crisis...(throws hands up) just saying. 


Have I ever mentioned that not only am I closet comic book reader,  but... I also... love a good ROMANCE novel.  Ashes in the Wind by Kathleen Woodwiss was my first...ROMANCE novel.  I got it when I was 13, from a yard sale.  To this day, I regard it as the best romance novel... ever.   I'm sure you'll keep that close to the chest and not tell anyone. Riiiighht.


Superman / Batman : Torment 
Writer: Alan Burnett
Penciller: Dustin Nguyen
Inker: Derek Fridolfs
Colorist: Randy Mayor
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Ass. Editor: Adam Schlagman
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Cover Issue 37 : Nguyen, Fridolfs and Rod Reis/ Claudio Castellini & Noemi Vicens
Cover Issue 38 -42: Nguyen and Fridolfs
Alternate Cover Issue 38 - Claudio Castellini and Paul Mounts.
Publisher: DC comics
Issues dates Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec 2007, Jan 2008
TPB date: Feb 2011

DC PRESENTS : BATMAN - CONSPIRACY : Legends of the Dark Knight 86 87 88 Detective 821 review

RATING 4.3 out of 5
This trade has two complete story-lines and both of them are artistically  wonderful, yet have the grungy detective feel to it.  You have writers well known for telling great Batman/Bruce detective stories along with one of the best comic book artist going, J. H. Williams III.  Williams really knows how to artistically tell a story. The panels and the placing just brings you into the stories and doesn't let you go.  If you don't have these issues, I would highly recommend them.
In the reviews listed below, notice the publication dates of the stories. There is a ten year gap between the two stories, which allows you to see how much Williams' style has changed.  He's art was fantastic back in 1996, but it's awesome to have these two works of his together just to see how much panache he added to his artistry by 2006.


The individual story reviews are below:

REVIEW 

CONSPIRACY: Legends of the Dark Knight 86-88: 
published 1996, writer Doug Moench, artist is J.H. Williams III, inker Mick Gray, colorist Dan Brown, letterer Willie Schubert, ass editor Chuck Kim, editor Archie Goodwin.  

Rating of 4.5 out of 5

This is the first Moench story in which I've been wowed. Most of Moench stories that I've read have been teamed with Kelly Jones as the artist. I like Jones' covers, but I'm not fond of his art for interior stories.

Moench ...with Williams... was a completely different story.  You can see it, hear it, and I'd say you could feel the action.  Moench is great with the SFX sounds... of which I take for granted until I don't have them.

SPIOLERS for Conspiracy. If spoiling not for you, go to the next review in blue.

You see... there's this cult...and there's this king of the cult, that sacrifices stray pets, until... now.  They've graduated to human sacrifices. Batman/Bruce Wayne traces the cult then finds a biker gang drug connection, then even more connections from LA.  Bruce actually does quite a bit of traveling and crime solving outside of Gotham in the story, but the grundy Detective feel of the story is never lost. He finds himself allied with a local reporter, who seems to have an inside scoop on what is happening.  Nothing is as it seems... and he is hunting in the dark for a killer, or is it killers with the same agenda.  The twist at the end show how evil can use even the best of us.

REVIEW

Cover by Simone Bianchi

The BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE: Detective 821 
Published 2006 written by Paul Dini, artist J.H. Williams III, colorist John Kalisz, Letterer Jared K. Fletcher, ass editor Michael Siglain, Editor Peter Tomasi,

Rating 3.9 

It's a great detective story but... I didn't like it as much as the other.  Which is funny, because I'm a big fan of the writer, Paul Dini, and not so much of Moench.  This detective story seemed a little dry, and it took me awhile to figure out what it was that made me like Moench more.  It was the SFX(sound effects). There were only two panels in Dini's story and Moench's is jammed pack full of them on almost every page.

Otherwise the art is wonderful...it definitely has the flare that the current detective stories with the current Batwoman that Williams is a big part of establishing. There is a lot of red and black backgrounds and panels.

SPOILERS: 
The accidental death of a mugger who is dressed in fine clothes, brings Batman/Bruce Wayne into a search for a new crime organization that prays on the  upper-crust by pretending to be part of that same upper-crust.

BATMAN Vs. The UNDEAD TPB : BATMAN Confidential 44 45 46 47 48 : Review

Writer: Kevin VanHook, Art & Cover: Tom Mandrake, Colors: David Baron, Letters: Steve Wands

Editors Michael Siglain & Harvey Richards

RATING 3.9 out of 5

This storyline is a sequel to Superman & Batman vrs Vampires  & Werewolves TPB (I reviewed S/B vrs V/W and it's listed on the right) and  contains a complete storyline within the issues listed. You don't necessarily need S/B vrs V/W to enjoy it.

This is a enjoyable spooky story, and I like the continued  characters of Dimeter the vampire, and Janko the Werewolf, but be warned, the writer, Kevin VanHook, still has the third person captions that you have to wrap your mind around because we're use to captions being the character's thoughts, but at least this time they (not sure who) gave them a very stylized box to make this stand out. What makes it a little unsatisfying is you don't find out whose voice it is. I would rather for the captions to be pegged to someone, even someone not in the story like by a mysterious figure.

There are plenty of the UNDEAD for Batman, Dimeter, and Janko, to battle.  This story is as good as the first one....with zombies coming out of everywhere from the newly dead to the extremely aged dead, but I think... because the cast of characters are still fighting a mass of monsters (zombies this time)... that it felt a little 'same ol' same ol'',  not as fresh and new as in the S/B vrs V/W, so I couldn't give it as high a rating as before.



Plus there wasn't any new cameos. Superman and Dr Fate are the only other ones to show up to help but they were in  S/B vrs V/W too, and  S/B vrs V/W  was jammed packed with cameos.

The art fits really well with the moody zombie story. The artist, Tom Mandrake, also did S/B vrs V/W.

It's a enjoyable read and I wouldn't mind seeing more of Dimeter and Janko, maybe with some of the rest of the cast of the Bat Family.


BATMAN Vs. The UNDEAD : BATMAN Confidential 44 45 46 47 48

Writer: Kevin VanHook, Art and Cover: Tom Mandrake, Colors: David Baron, Letters: Steve Wands

Editors Michael Siglain & Harvey Richards

BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #49 "Work That's Never Done " Review

Rating 4 out of 5

It's like letting chocolate melt in your mouth. It's smooth and satisfying. There are no surprises.. but once it's gone.. there is a little buzz of caffeine to tide you over until the next fix.

The cover is misleading, it's not Dick Grayson as Batman in the story, it's Bruce Wayne.

This has a complete story in this issue, you don't have to buy another in the series to get the whole story.

Review with Spoiler

Batman/Bruce Wayne intercepts a 911 call. He shows up at the scene. He has quite a bit of stubble on his chin which is getting close to being a beard, giving the impression he has been at this for sometime. He goes right into picking up clues and they are deciphered for us in captions (I love seeing him work through clues).  After solving this crime, he intercepts a 911 call...

This was SUCH a WELL written issue, the writer knew when to let the art tell the story, not every panel has type. The art is also very well done. Every panel was well done: the coloring... even in the smaller panels... his flashlight highlighting people he comes across...the shadows in the background behind him...the cape flutters...all excellent. 

I'll be looking for this writer in the future and the art crew.

Link to a interview with the writer on Batman Confidencial #49,  James Patrick

BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #49
Writer: James Patrick
Pencils: Steve Scott
Inks: Bob Petrecca
Colors: David aron
Letters: Swands
Cover : Andy Kubert with Brad Anderson 
Publisher: DC comics
Dec 2010

BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rules of Engagement TPB

 RATING 3.7 out of 5

The story is...good, but it seemed a little out of place. Batman(Bruce Wayne) fights Lex Luthor outside of Gotham.  I was wondering at one point, where is Superman, who is more of globe trotter and Lex's protagonist.  The story is complete in six issues, and complete in the one TPB.

Review with some spoilers

This story's time frame is about a year after Bruce became Batman.  Lexcor and Waynetec are competing for bids for a government military contract, and this is the first time that Bruce and Lex meet face to face.  

As Lex is leaving the meeting, a large prototype remote controlled military Robot, created by Waynetec, attempts to kill him. Batman was close by and able to distract it, so that Lex could escape.  The intriguing part of the story was Batman finding out who is controlling the robot, and why. This part was too short, because it had a ghost in the machine feel to it, and it would have been cool to see the story expanded on.

Because of the incident with the Waynetec robot, Lex receives the military contract, and uses it as a way to take over military bases everywhere including somewhere outside of Gotham, but looks like Arizona, which is confusing.  

This story, over all, is good.  The writer, Andy Diggle, was good with the characterizations.  There are several fight scenes that are pretty good and well drawn, as well as some awesome Bat-hardware.  I would say I liked it, but it didn't 'wow' me.

BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rules of Engagement TPB
Writer: Andy Diggle
Penciller: Whilce Portacio
Inker: Richard Friend
Colorist: David Baron, I.L.L.,
Letterer: Travis Lanaham
Publisher: DC Comics
Feb, Mar, Apr, May, June 2007 

BATMAN: BRUCE WAYNE: The Road Home: Reading Order, & Reviews: Batman and Robin, Red Robin, Batgirl, Outsiders, Catwoman, Commissioner Gordon, Oracle, Ra's Al Ghul

These occur after Return of Bruce Wayne #6
 Nicieza was interviewed at Newsaroma[link]

Nicieza: If a reader wants to buy individual issues, they should feel free to do so, and hopefully enjoy a solid self-contained issue, but if they want to read all 8, then yes, there is definitely an order:
1) Batman & Robin
2) Red Robin
3) Outsiders
4) Batgirl
5) Catwoman
6) Gordon
7) Oracle
8) Ra's al Ghul

Batman and Robin #16,  and Batman: The Return- from the solicits seems to be After  The Road Home

REVIEWS of individual issues are below, they are in the reading order listed above.  
RATING  Over All : 3.5" out of 5
It's a decent storyline but some parts could have been left out completely.  It's important to note that they DON'T have any welcome home sentiment. For instance, Red Robin gives Bruce a hug for being back in Red Robin #17, not in any of these issues. They mostly have a, "Is that..who I think it is", none have the hugs and kisses stage in them.
 

 1.)Bruce Wayne - The Road Home: 
{All covers are by Shane Davis, they connect together}

BATMAN & ROBIN

Title: "Outside Looking In"  Writer: Fabian Nicieza Art of internal pages: Cliff Richards Covor Art: Ian Hannin Letters Dave Sharpe Editor: Mike Marts Asst. Editor Janelle Siegel

Rating 3.9 out of 5


A really great start to The Road Home storyline.  The writer, Fabian Nicieza, captured the banter between Dick Grayson(Batman) and Damian(Robin) perfectly, but the art seemed really lacking. It looked like you were looking through a unfocused camera lens, so that you can hide wrinkles.  Nicieza is a great writer so this didn't effect the enjoyment of the story.  This issue doesn't feel like a stand alone issue. You are left with a definite need to continue into the issue of The Road Home: Red Robin.

SPOILERS:If you don't want to be spoiled, skip  down to next review in blue.

This storyline started with controversy before it even came out.  The DC Blog site had released some preview panels of the art inside Batman and Robin. Then was surprised that it contained the F-Bomb. They quickly removed the imaged from their site, and a little later the release date for the book was pushed back a week. They made changes pretty quickly.  My cynical side makes me think they did it intentionally to get publicity, BUT... they already had the publicity from the delay of the Morrison's books, Return of Bruce Wayne #6 and Batman & Robin #16, which weren't released till after The Road home.

Whats wrong with that? Well.... Morrison's books has the actual return of Bruce Wayne to the present time line... Yet... he was already in Gotham for The Road Home. It caused quite a ruckus on many many forums and blogs.

Having the stories out of sync is a little irritating, but I got over it, because it was Fabian Nicieza in charge of The Road Home, and he IS a great story teller.  There have been reassurances by him that having Bruce in Gotham won't ruin the Morrison's storyline. So... I felt pretty confident and read these stories, and I can assure you, at least at this point, they don't seem to touch what Morrison is doing.

Getting past the controversy...we are rewarded with ...a sorta... new player in Gotham, if you don't know who it is by now, I don't want to spoil it for you. The suit he wears is fantastic and there is buzz on the forums, such as: where did the mystery man get this suit? Where did he get the powers? Why  hasn't he used it before? and ...Will he continue to use it?

There is also the ongoing story line of Viki Vale uncovering the secrets identities of the Bat-family, it continues to some degree in all the issues of The Road Home.

As I've mentioned above, the storyline doesn't seem to be a stand alone issue, you'll feel like wanting to get the next issue in this  storyline The Road Home: Red Robin.



REVIEW

2.)Bruce Wayne - The Road Home: 

RED ROBIN

Title: "The Insider"  Writer: Fabian Nicieza Pencils of internal pages: Ramon Bachs Inks: John Lucas Colors: Guy Major Letters Dave Sharpe Editor: Mike Marts Asst. Editor Sean Ryan 
 Rating 3.9 out of 5



This issue is also great, with spot on characterization. Even though it says at the end that it is continued in Outsiders, after I read Outsiders,  Outsiders felt really unneeded to any storyline.  You could probably skip from this issue to the Ra's Al Ghul issue and not miss any real major story line, you would only miss the reunions with the characters in the title.
The art in this issue is somewhat better then the Batman and Robin issue. It is more... expressive, but the suit looked better in the previous issue.  There has been some buzz on the forums that Tim didn't seem to express any emotions toward Bruce being back and the writer, Fabian Nicieza had this to say:

Quote from Fabian Nicieza from a post on CBR(link) :

 Just a note for those misreading this issue as "Bruce's return seeming anticlimactic or unemotional," please be aware that the events of The Road Home ALL take place AFTER ROBW#6.
Every issue in the Road Home storyline were written with the expectation they'd be on sale after ROBW#6, and were taking into account that certain reunions -- specifically Tim and Bruce -- would have been handled in that issue as we were told.

What you see as a "lack of emotion" is actually the two characters having had days to have come to terms with Bruce's return, and only the unfortunate shipping schedule has made that a confusing message.

But just in case there's not enough emotion to cover the Tim/Bruce reunion in ROBW#6, check out RED ROBIN #17 in November for a nice moment between the two...- fabian

Some readers opinion of the issue seemed to hurt, just a little, from not having Morrison's storyline being told.  I personally wasn't effected by it, because I figured it was told somewhere else. 

SPOILERS:If you don't want to be spoiled, skip down to next review in blue. 

In this issue the mystery man, codenamed Insider,  infiltrates The Council of Spiders. They kill people just for sport. The first target they give him is Red Robin.  Pru shows up in this issue and is more of a distraction then a help.  She seems to be holding secrets that will be reveal in the Ra's al Ghul issue.


REVIEW

3.)Bruce Wayne - The Road Home: 
{All covers are by Shane Davis, they connect together}

The OUTSIDERS

Title: "Inside Interference"  Writer: Mike W. Barr Penciller: Javier Saltares Inkers: Rebecca Buchman & Walden Wong Colorist: Pete Pantazis  Letters Dave Sharpe Batman group Editor: Mike Marts Editor Harvey Richards
RATING 2.5 out of 5 

I really felt nothing for this issue. It wasn't much of a issue. It didn't make me want to check out the series.  Maybe I just didn't know enough background on the characters to care about them. It can be considered a stand alone issue, but I think it's not needed to pull The Road Home storyline forward and you could skip it. 

SPOILERS:If you don't want to be spoiled, skip  down to next review in blue.

This issue has a couple of pages of Vicki Vale in it but she doesn't do anything that really moves her storyline along either.

 The part in the book where the mysterious stranger from the other The Road Home issues, uses his suit and was able to take down each of The Outsiders was cool, but not cool enough to buy the book.

As FHIZ, a poster on CBR commented (link)

...the entry in the white casebook was like "The Outsiders seem to have lost their way." Then the end of the Outsider's book is basically "Yep, still lost, screw'em"

One poster said it would have some bearing on the Batman Inc storyline by showing how Batman may choose who should, or should not, be branded with the Batman logo.

REVIEW

4.)Bruce Wayne - The Road Home: 
{All covers are by Shane Davis, they connect together}

BATGIRL

No Title  Writer: Bryan Q. Miller Artist : Pere Perez Colorist: Pete Pantazis  Letters Dave Sharpe Batman group Editor: Mike Marts Editor Sean Ryan
RATING 4.5 out of 5

This was the best issue, so far.  Bryan Q Miller is a awesome storyteller. He really knows this character and her relationship to Bruce. This is tied into The Road Home story line, but it is kinda adjacent to the other stories being told.  At the end it says "to be continued to" The Road Home: Catwoman, but that issue doesn't connect to this issue anymore then any of the others. You don't have to read Batman & Robin, or Red Robin, for this issue, or visa-versa, so it is the closest issue to being a stand alone story.


However, I really love Stephenie's character when it is in Bryan Q Miller's hands and this was a joy to read, don't miss it.

 SPOILERS: If you don't want to be spoiled, skip to down next review in blue.

This issue has the Mystery man that is in the other issues, but it also has Stephanie's and Bruce's first meeting since Bruce came back from the Dead {or not really being dead}. Which really makes it worth the cover price just to see it.
Oracle confronts Vicki Vale in this issue and I have a feeling it will be expanded on in The Road Home: Oracle issue.
I don't want to spoil too much but Bruce mentions Cassandra Cain...the previous Batgirl, and says, "Cassandra followed orders, did precisely what I asked her to do in the event of my death or disappearance."

I'm enjoying this storyline and I'm looking forward to the next installment with Catwoman. After reading these issues... I'm starting to feel better about The Batman Inc series coming up, which I've had my misgivings about it.

REVIEW

5.)Bruce Wayne - The Road Home: 
{All covers are by Shane Davis, they connect together} 

CATWOMAN

Title :Lifting the Vale Writer: Derek Fridolfs Artist : Peter Nguyen 
Colorist: John Kalisz Letters: Dave Sharpe Batman group Editor:Mike Marts Asst Editor: Janelle Siegel 
Rating 3 out of 5
It was kinda disappointing...Meh issue.  It can be a stand alone issue and can be passed over, it doesn't really move the story line in Red Robin. 

SPOILERS: If you don't want to be spoiled, skip down to next review in blue.  

It was mostly about the Sirens stealing information from Vicki on what she knows. Selina is concerned that Vicki will attract the wrong element.

 I thought Oracle got all the information from Vicki in The Road Home: Batgirl. Since I've read that one too, this one seems like over kill.

I was expecting the Bruce and Selina reunion, but after reading this, I see that Morrison has the dibs on that one, because  this issue didn't have much of a between Bruce and Selina.  I guess I expect more fire from these two, and it felt meh...
She finds out its him, they touch, he leaves...Meh...
 
 REVIEW

6) Bruce Wayne - The Road Home: 
{All covers are by Shane Davis, they connect together} COMMISSIONER GORDON
 Title  Gotham's Finest  Storytellers:  Adam Beechen and Szymon Kudranski Colorist: John Kalisz  Letters Dave Sharpe Batman group Editor: Mike Marts Asst.Editor:  Janelle Siegel.
RATING 3.9 out of 5

This was really good. Very moody art, which was great,  and Beechen made Gordon shine.  I hate to say it is a stand alone issue, because I'm not sure of its relevance in the next set of issues. It has a lot of Vicki Vale in it and this may have some relevance in the next issue.

SPOILERS: If you don't want to be spoiled, skip down to next review in blue.  

The criminal element in Gotham has found out that Vicki Vale has the goods on Batman and the rest of the Bat-family.  The criminal element WANTS that information. 
Commissioner Gorden has Vicki under protective custody and he plans to keep her that way. Did I say this was a really good issue?  It is. 


There is a section where it shows that Bruce couldn't pull the wool over Barbara's eyes, which is great, but I wonder what the heck they are going to cover in The Road Home:Oracle issue, since she already knows.

This also kinda brings home the... "Does Gordon know Bruce is Batman?"  A question that is bandied about on the threads. In this issue you are left with "Does Gordon know that the Insider is Batman?"
It's not really answered, you think he does, but ...does he?

 REVIEW

7) Bruce Wayne - The Road Home:  
{All covers are by Shane Davis, they connect together}  
ORACLE

Writer: Marc Andreyko, Artist: Agustin Padilla, Color Art: Brian Buccellato, Letters: Dave Sharpe, Editor: Janelle Seigel, Batman Group Editor: Mike Marts

RATING 2.9 

I would skip it unless you had extra money.  The previous one with Commissioner Gordon shines in comparison. It also has a speed bump when it came to Oracle knowing the Insiders identity. It has choppy dialogue. It has a cliffhanger ending which would make you want the next issue, but this issue is not necessary for the whole of the story. 

SPOILERS: If you don't want to be spoiled, skip down to next review in blue.  

Oracle helps The Insider  in protecting Vicki Vale from The Seven Men of Death by sending The Birds of Prey as a decoy.  Well...Ah sorta...she actually sends The Reserve Birds of Prey.  I ...didn't know ...that Ragman and ManBat were part of the 'Birds of Prey' and  I was... hoping that Batgirl would make it to the team but this is a sloppy way of adding her.  This team includes Manhunter, ManBat, Ragman, Batgirl, Hawk, and Dove.  The fight scenes are sloppy, and sometimes I can't tell whose fighting who, and how they are fighting or how they are taking the bad guys out.

What's the Speed Bump?  One of Oracle's Caption says, "...and what about "the Insider," huh? Wow, he feels familiar." Next Caption says, "I mean, he's Bruce, right? But how is that possible? Bruce is dead, Then again so were Superman, Green arrow,...."

SOO....Oracle didn't know ...that Bruce was ALIVE. {see my eye twitch}

Despite the fact that the JLA is heavily trying to look for him...AND ...she is information gal for  the hero world.

Dick and Damian know he is a live.  It's NOT a secret in the Hero world. Dick even told Gordon in one of the Batman and Robin books that he was only filling in the shoes until the original is back.  

I can understand not knowing Bruce is back in the right time, but for Oracle to not know he is Alive means that the writer didn't do his research.  
REVIEW

 

8) Bruce Wayne - The Road Home:  
{All covers are by Shane Davis, they connect together}  
RA'S AL GHUL

Writer: Fabian Nicieza, Penciller: Scott McDaniel, Inker: Andy Owens, Color Art:Guy Major, Letters: Dave Sharpe, Asst Editor: Janelle Seigel and Harvey Richards, Batman Group Editor: Mike Marts

RATING 3.6

Kind of a disappointing ending. It was well written, but I guess I just wanted more from ol' Ra's.  This issue would definitively be needed for the whole story of Vicki Val's investigation. The story is wrapped up in this issue, but I think that is the reason I didn't like it. It was too pat of a ending. 

SPOILERS:
 It's a good story and well written but for me it was too pat of a ending for a storyline that has been underlining the Red Robin and Streets of Gotham issues for over a year.  It felt like the story had only just begun and now "Voila" it's over. (yes..Choppa that was for you).
 Ra's Al Ghul is the one who hired the Men of Death. Not because he wants the information that Vicki Vale has attained, but because he wants to shut her up. Bruce Wayne is Ra's to kill and no one else's.  As Ra's people track and chase Vicki, Ra's reflects on another worthy opponent from centuries ago, but he can't remember his name.


Major spoilers:
Also I was wanting more of a fight between Bruce and Ra's, there was hardly a confrontation. Ra's just basically shrugged and walked off saying "Until the Next Time we Duel, Detective...".  
Vale finally gets confirmation that Bruce is Batman and realizes that she was only doing this because she felt "neglected." 
Also... it didn't tell anything about the suit, where it came from, or if it will be used in the future.