Super-Sized* Reviews!

*These will just be regular reviews.

Today's WEDNESDAY, and two HUGE books were released this week. Let's get to 'em!

Batman and Robin #16 (SPOILERS!)
Well here we are, at the end of Grant Morrison's long (and confusing) Bat-tale revolving around Dr. Hurt, traveling through time, Dick Grayson as Batman, and the omega beam, and guess what? Mr. Morrison actually has some answers for us fans who have been scratching our heads (or pretending not to) ever since Batman R.I.P.  wrapped two years ago.

Batman and Robin issue 16 is the final part of "Batman and Robin Must Die!", as well as the final story in the series by Mr. Morrison. Bruce Wayne has returned to the present day (somehow, as The Return Of Bruce Wayne STILL hasn't finished) and has joined with Dick Grayson and Damien to fight off Dr. Hurt, the 99 Fiends, and of course, Professor Pyg.  Morrison's knack for crazy out of this world stories is out in full force here, but unlike his other recent work, this story is actually fairly easy to follow, despite the fact that every other Batman book is late.

We finally learn the truth of who Dr. Hurt/"Thomas Wayne" really is, as well as his connections to Darkseid.  Now that it's been revealed, it was the most obvious person all along. His origin was fairly interesting, and this is coming from a Batman fan who prefers the Dark Knight to not meddle with too much hocus pocus. Hurt's "battle" with the Joker was awesome, as was Mr. J's short-lived decision to switch sides before being sucker-punched by Bruce Wayne, but it seemed like Morrison wanted to move on from it before we got anything from it. The Joker working "with" superheroes could have had a lot of potential, and unless Mr. J keeps this new outlook, it will probably be forgotten by his next appearance. We also get more Professor Pyg, which is never a bad thing.

Fraser Irving, Cameron Stewart, and Chris Burnham split up the art duties, and all do a commendable job. Unlike other books that have more than one artist, B&R 16 has each artist tackle a different "act" of the issue, and result is one that is far less jarring than recent books with more than one artist.

While this issue definitely gets my recommendation, I'm still not entirely sold on this upcoming "Batman, Inc" event because to be honest, it seems to me to go entirely AGAINST what Bruce Wayne's personal quest is about. *SPOILER* Bruce revealing in a press conference with Dick and Damien behind him that he has been "financing" the Batman for the past several years is very strange, and you can't honestly tell me that no one can connect the dots that a billionaire whose parents were murdered is actually Batman. At the very least, Grant Morrison has piqued my interest in the first issue of Batman, Inc., so I will try and give him the benefit of the doubt until I read it. Even if no one thinking to themselves "Hey, Bruce Wayne's kid looks like he's the same height as that new Robin that's been running around"  is a bit of a stretch. Then again, no one STILL can connect that Clark Kent and Superman are the same guy......

Invincible #75

Invincible is Robert Kirkman's OTHER awesome comic book. Unlike The Walking Dead, Invincible follows the adventures of Mark Grayson, a twenty-something superhero who protects earth as Invincible. Throughout the series, he has been betrayed by his father, Omni-man,  graduated high school, gone to college, joined the Guardians of the Globe, left the Guardians of the Globe, and got his girlfriend, fellow superhero Atom Eve, pregnant (but he doesn't know that yet). The landmark issue 75 is the latest part in the "Viltrumite War" storyline, in which Mark joins with his redeemed father and younger brother to fight off the evil race that they belong to.

While its cover may lead you to believe that Invincible isn't a particulary gory book, previous issues have out-gored most horror books. This issue is no exception. Kirkman's story pulls no punches, and artist Ryan Ottley gives us the treat of SIX 2-page splash pages. Heads are ripped off, arms dismembered, and like Walking Dead, Kirkman has no problem with messing with seemingly untouchable characters. The space action in this issue rivals many current science-fiction movies, and makes me yearn for the day that we get an Invincible TV show/movie, which may be a reality after the stunning success of the "Walking Dead" premiere last Sunday. 

If you've been missing out on Invincible, I strongly suggest you go back and snag the first trade. Like Kirkman's zombie epic, the tale of Mark Grayson is best experienced from the beginning, and once you start, you won't be able to stop. Trade-waiters of this series are in for a big treat when this bad boy is released as a single bound edition.

A "Superior" Set Of Reviews....get it....anybody?

Bronson vs. Batman

Before I get into this week's news, something amazing was announced for nerds everywhere. Tom Hardy, who previously worked with Christopher Nolan in Inception, was just added to the cast of the next Nolan "Batman" movie. There is no word on who he'll play, only that it will be a "lead role". My hope is that he's the guy who finally brings Black Mask to life on the big screen. But anyways......

Also, Rhys Ifans will be playing The Lizard in the Spider-man reboot. Sorry Dylan Baker. As much as it sucks that you won't be turning into a giant green lizard, I have always wanted to see Dr. Connor's inhuman side on the big screen. 



WEDNESDAY COMIC REVIEWS!!!!

Superior #1
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the newest Mark Millar movie pitch comic book, Superior. I will admit, I had no idea what this title was going to entail when I first picked it up, especially when the Wizard magazine story revealed absolutely nothing about the plot. So for the first time in what seems like forever, I opened a comic book with no hype or preconceived ideas about the plot.

I won't get into spoiler territory, but this first issue definitely throws you for a loop, and it asks just enough questions to keep me interested and intrigued to pick up the next issue. While the issue sets up the typical Mark Millar cuss-filled dialogue, it seems that the violence of Kick-Ass and Nemesis won't be featured as much in this series. Of course now that I just wrote that the next issue will probably have someone getting punched through the face.

Leinil Yu's artwork is some of the best he has done in the issue, and I'm glad that he's outgrown the "ape faces" that used to make up his work. I had to check the cover on the front of the book twice to make sure that it was the same guy who drew Secret Invasion. If you're looking for a new series to pick up, or are a fan of Mark Millar, then what are you doing? Pick this up!


Batman: The Return Of Bruce Wayne # 5 (of 6)

Oh hey Return Of Bruce Wayne. Long time no read. While I have missed being extremely confused by you, I have to say, I didn't really miss your absence, seeing as how DC has made it a point to tell everyone and their mother that Bruce Wayne will be back as Batman in the next few months. Anyways, this issue finds Bruce being transported to the near past,  and taking up the guise of a detective. Playing up the "detective" side of Batman, this issue finds Wayne assisting in the murder case...of his parents. We also get a little more exposition from the Justice League in which we learn that when Bruce Wayne returns to the present day he will "rip a hole" in time.

It's an intriguing start to the issue, and while Grant Morrison starts to make a semi-readable issue, guess what happens? Yep, you get real confused real quick. From what I gathered, this issue ties into the "Black Glove" and "Dr. Hurt" storyline in a sort of "Bruce Wayne: Noir" setting. While there were some more answers (I think the whole "framing the Waynes" subplot from R.I.P. was officially revealed as a set-up job) I once again feel like I'm missing something from this story. The art by Ryan Sook was good, and while he's no Frank Quitely or Fraser Irving, he does do an adequate job of evoking a 1920's noir style.

A reviewer on "Ain't It Cool News" said in his review of the new Grant Morrison documentary that he feels that Morrison writes stories that he understands, but that aren't necessarily clear for the reader. I cannot agree more with that reviewer. While I am a fan of Morrison, his recent stuff has left me so confused that I'm finding it hard to recommend it to readers. And the things that I've heard about "Batman, Inc." don't exactly fill me with confidence. If you've been following this miniseries so far, there's not point in stopping now, especially with only one more issue to go.

I Am Literally Melting

Dick Grayson as Batman and Damian as Robin

WOW. It is too hot out. Way too damn hot out.
Today was the first day at North Hampton, and besides melting in my shoes, it went really well! The student I'm working with is a pretty funny kid, and the staff are all really great. All in all it's been a pretty sweet day. But now we're going to get into some comic book news. News that I'm sure is going to cause a pretty big divide amongst my fellow nerds.

DC's blog "The Source" has revealed its plans for the "Batman" franchise when Bruce Wayne makes his inevitable return in a few months. Up until now, Bruce Wayne was thought to be dead, when in fact he was really just stuck in time, moving from one time period to the other. Meanwhile, in present day Gotham, Dick Grayson, the first Robin, took up the mantle of the Bat and became Gotham's new Dark Knight, with Bruce's alleged son Damian becoming the new Robin.

However, DC started publishing The Return Of Bruce Wayne, leading many Bat-fans (myself included) to ask themselves "so...what will happen to Dick Grayson?" Up until now, I was really enjoying Dick Grayson as Batman, something I will admit that I didn't think I was going to at first. But now that Bruce Wayne IS coming back, apparently there is going to be two Batmen: Dick Grayson will remain in Gotham, while Bruce Wayne will travel the world, assembling a team of "Dark Knights".

Bruce Wayne's "new" costume

To me, this could go two ways. It could be really cool, or really, really awful. And considering Grant Morrison's recent track record of Bat-books (Batman and Robin excluded) doesn't fill me with much hope. Maybe it's because I got used to Dick Grayson as Batman, or maybe its because Marvel already did this with Cap, but I've got a really bad feeling about this, especially when DC editor in chief Dan DiDio says that Bruce's intentions are to "build a Starbucks-style franchise of Dark Knights".

Maybe it's because I grew up reading 90's comics, but for me Batman works best as a character when he has fewer allies and more trust issues.  Creating a team of Bat-men does fit into Bruce Wayne's obsessive desire to fight crime, but one of his big deals and flaws is that he can't trust anyone. Bruce Wayne is Batman because he has trained himself to absolute perfection, and doesn't trust anyone to complete a task(see JLA: Tower Of Babel). Again, I could be completely wrong about this, but my initial reaction to this news is that it's really out of character for Bruce. Hopefully Grant Morrison has some crazy good idea for his motivations.

Grown Up?

Today I had a "real" job interview. "Real" meaning that it was for a Reading/Math assistant position at the elementary school that my mother works at, and at 7:30 AM. It went pretty well, and they seemed very interested in my Graphic Novel curriculum work and colloquium. At the very least if I don't get the job it could potentially open up some doors within the school district.
HOWEVER, IT'S WEDNESDAY, AND YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!!!

Batman: The Return Of Bruce Wayne #4 (of 6)
 We're nearing the end of Grant Morrison's tale of the time-traveling Bruce Wayne's trek through the ages to make it back to present day. This issue was fairly straightforward, even if it doesn't focus at all on any of the previous "time adventurers" side plot. Instead, we get a pretty decent look at Bruce Wayne in the times of the (wiki-wild, wiki-wild) wild west. As a bonus, Bats also goes up against JONAH HEX, which was pretty entertaining. I particularly liked the stagecoach battle, and Mr. Hex's form of payment, but once again, I feel like Grant Morrison is purposefully not explaining a whole lot, and it does get a little confusing trying to tell some of the different players apart from one another. I am intrigued by the "Wayne Curse" that once again is mentioned in this issue however.  Not bad for those still following the series, but not the best entry so far.




The Walking Dead, Vol. 12: Life Among Them

Hollleeeeee #$%$! The Walking Dead is a title that I typically "trade wait" for, but after reading this latest volume I'm catching up and going monthly. It's just that good. This is the best comic on the stands right now. HANDS. DOWN.
I won't dip into spoilers too much, but once again, Rick and Co. find themselves meeting a stranger and being invited to live in a new, walled in community. Fans of the series will understand the hesitations that the group has for this place. However, writer/creator Robert Kirkman is now starting to plant the seed of doubt in our minds that this place may actually be as good as it seems, and that Rick may have now finally given in to the constant paranoia of having to lead his group for the past fourteen(or so) months. This volume of course ends with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger, and I can't handle the wait for the trades anymore. If you've heard about AMC's upcoming series based on this amazing comic book you need to get on the bandwagon early before you're left out in the cold. This is an amazing title, and by far the best use of the comic medium since Watchmen. Yeah, I said it. 

NERD BONUS!
This is the cinematic trailer for DC Universe Online, which is hitting PS3 and PC this November. My new reason for wanting a Playstation 3.  God Black Adam rules, and I hope they release action figures based off of this.