wednesdayINreview: 11/17/10

Ever since the dawn of four-color heroics, some books each week have risen above all the others, while some have faltered on the path. With spoilers now lessened due to two days, the gaijINside staff have decided to talk about what they read. It’s time for another wednesdayINreview.

It’s been a few weeks. No, wait, make that about six months. Tons of comics have come out in that time, and we do plan to run our reviews on them. Still, we can’t live in the past forever. A bunch of comics came out this week, many of them dealing with both the rebirth of Batman and the reinvigoration of Spider-Man. Here’s our thoughts.

Chad Bonin

Batman, Inc. #1
Batman’s trip to Japan, with Catwoman in tow, shows a true highlight of Grant Morrison’s writing. His concept of a globe-trotting Batman setting up multiple heroes in other countries echoes previous work Morrison has done showing off an international hero drive. Mr. Unknown, from what we met, does appear to be a fun character that melds both the sensibilities of Japan and Batman… effectively becoming a Green Hornet. Naturally, he’s gone pretty soon in the story, but we DO get Batman versus SHOCKER-style goons, and the last two pages must be read in the voice of the announcer from the Adam West Batman series. Paquette’s art truly shines with Catwoman, and has fun with the break from Gotham City one expects with the Caped Crusader.

Brightest Day #14
A major Deadman piece has a nice bit of history for the uninformed reader, but the true highlights, pun intended, feature Deadman forcing the White Lantern ring upon Bruce Wayne. Ivan Reis and Joe Prado’s art manages to highlight the new Batman look (even making the chest symbol glow; we’re not sure if it’s consistent across the board, but the look works well) alongside a White Lantern Batman look. The last page surprise shows that the series isn’t just running out of steam halfway through, but the entire focus on Deadman possibly proves the series’ greatest fault: unlike many of the other ensemble books, there’s no appearances from more than half the cast in the book, and it feels like it’s been weeks since the heavy threads of Martian Manhunter and Aquaman have been picked up.

DC Universe Legacies #7
Len Wein’s incredible mini-series has flown under the radar of most, but should easily be on the top of any pull list. A rotating crew of artists manage to encapsulate the era each issue takes place in, with Dan Jurgens and Jerry Ordway doing their best to pull off the Justice League International/Death Of Superman/Knightfall era. The bookending story of the boy who became a cop only hits a few bumps in this issue (mainly with the whole “Superman’s fighting somebody? I’m gonna leave my wife to tell our daughter about her cancer” bit, but the fact that it’s apparently been long enough since Batgirl was crippled for the hero to go from an active Detective to gray haired retiree, even by the compressed timescale that comics run by). Sadly, the Atom back-up is mostly forgettable, but does it’s job of focusing on a nearly-forgotten chunk of the DC Comics world.

Osborn #1
Kelly Sue DeConnick’s writing is imaginative; creating a few supervillains in the span of an issue is no small task. There is no flaws in her art. Put it alongside the art of Emma Rios, though, and one stands out way above and beyond. Rios’ art has both a kinetic and natural feel, nearly summed up in Norah Winters’ active, and almost unsettling, motion. Looking at her art shows how fidgety the character is, and Rios is well on her way to be a go-to person when it comes to non-superheroic comic books, much akin to Becky Cloonan or Terry Moore. The book comes with a surprisingly amazing back-up featuring one of the villains introduced in the book, June Covington. Warren Ellis scripts an amazing stream-of-consciousness story, and Jamie McKelvie captures June’s apparent boredom with everyday people with ease.

Power Girl #18
Judd Winnick continues his run with the bombshell hero, with amazing art by Sami Basri. The pair definitely have a different vibe than the unstoppable trio of Gray/Palmiotti/Conner, but it’s no better or worse. The slow reveal of the connections to Justice League Generation Lost are appreciated, and the readers should honestly feel a bit of sadness with the illustration of Ted Kord holding a gun to his own head. Sure, we know that the second Blue Beetle didn’t take some 9mm aspirin, but the thought that most of the DC Universe thinks this is crushing. Followed up by the recap of how things went down, and Power Girl brings back some sad memories that are usually reserved for Booster Gold. Winnick’s writing is entertaining, not ignoring the character that the previous crew built up, and Basri’s art, while not being as comical as Conner’s, has a streamlined efficiency that makes the book feel more like an action cartoon than comedic piece.

Nicholas Qualls

The Avengers #7
The second arc begins as Parker Robbins – The Hood – seeks the Infinity Gems to replace his lost powers. When the Red Hulk discovers this, bruised and bloodied, he seeks out the help of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. I’m digging the use of the Infinity Gems and the upcoming reveal of the long-hidden Illuminati relationship between some of Marvel’s top minds. I really couldn’t care less about Red Hulk though, so that puts a damper on things. Romita Jr.’s art is hit or miss from panel to panel. He’s improving from his work from previous issues, but it’s still not his best. Still, I’m sticking with it.

Batman, Inc. #1
Bruce travels to Japan to go after his first new recruit Mr. Unknown and spend some quality time with Catwoman. Unfortunately, Lord Death Man’s attack on Mr. Unknown disrupts Bruce’s plan. Morrison’s idea to franchise the Batman name is really exciting, and I think he’s off to a good start. Still can’t get over how dorky Lord Death Man’s name is, but he looks enough like a ripoff/homage of Skull and Skull Man for me to enjoy the nod. Paquette’s art is generally well done. His Batman is a bit bulky and brutish looking at times, but the shapely Catwoman adds enough eye candy to make up for it.

Batman: The Return
This book serves as a launching board for the Bat books from here on out for this new “Batman Incorporated” world. The immediate Bat family are set on their paths that will develop in their respective titles, although some already don’t seem to be as interesting as others (Internet 3.0?). Plus, Morrison introduces a new international criminal organization to contrast this new international Batman organization. Again, I’m still captivated in this reinvigorated Batman that Morrison is doing, and Finch does a great work with highly detailed designs and dark and gritty looks that will hopefully continue in his Batman: The Dark Knight title.

To help justify the dollar price hike, the book contains concept and early art and scripts, with everything bound in a thicker stock cover. Don’t know if it’s all worth the $4.99, especially since it won’t be essential to the other books, but Batman fans will still enjoy it.

Superman #705
J. Michael Straczynski nears the end of his shortened run as the Grounded arc continues. Next issue, #706, will be JMS’s last issue as he leaves to concentrate on the Superman: Earth One sequel. Chris Roberson will pick up the rest of his arc in #707.  Superman is coping with the public’s new-found fear as he continues his trek across the country. I’m enjoying this easy-going story that pits Superman against issues he can’t simply power his way through. Also enjoyable is that each story is fairly self contained, and this mix of an episodic feel with the over-arching story is working well with the pacing. The art is decent and consistant, but otherwise it’s nothing special.

Vision Machine #2
Facebook and Google have a baby that becomes the OS for Apple’s iPhone 50. Pak chronicles the future where the Internet truly becomess our portal for seeing the world with the use of the futuristic glasses/web interface iEye (a not-so-subtle jab at Apple). However people, including main character Buddy, become distrustful with the closed corporate environment and shady privacy and user agreement values of iEye’s owning company Sprout. Definitely a story ripped from the headlines of our own growing simultaneous dependence and distrust of the closed environments of today’s Internet. Even beyond that topical nature, there is always a minor distrust of corporate America within our minds that captivates readers, especially when they get to show they were right. The art also does a great job protraying the invasive and annoying reality seeing the world through the Internet would be. Pop ups, anyone?

X-Men #5
X-Men vs. vampires drudges along as the vampiric forces finally assault the X-Men. Cyclops has some interesting ideas to win the battle and overcome the vampire trump card of a blood-sucking Wolverine. Some plans will likely have some fans calling fowl, but whatever pulls this story to its close. Still one more issue to go in what feels like forever on a simple vampire gimmick. The art is fine, but you’ll get tired of that dark yellow and orange sunset washing over everything in the story.

These are the books that the gaijINside staff felt noteworthy. While these are likely not all they read that week, these are the books we consider worth mentioning. Want to let us know what you read? Tweet us @gaijINside.

This post was written by gaijINside Staff

Tags: Batman Inc., Batman: The Return, Brightest Day, DC Comics, DC Universe Legacies, Marvel Comics, Osborn, Pak Man Productions, Power Girl, Superman, The Avengers, Vision Machine, X-Men

Posted in Comic Books, Features