I haven't been reading Batman and Robin, but with issue 20: Batman and Red Hood, I figured I should take a look, given that I've become a big Red Hood and the Outlaws fan. I shouldn't have bothered.
After the first scene during which Bruce behaves like a complete dickhead to Carrie Kelley, we get to the actual story involving Jason Todd. I foolishly believed that, given the re-bonding Jason and Bruce had done in the aftermath of the Joker's attacks, that this story would further that, with Jason helping Bruce through the difficult time following Damian's death. And for a while, that seems to be the case. Until the stubborn nature of both takes over.
Not that they aren't in character. They are. Too much so. They're both very stubborn men. But recent developments in RHATO has shown a more mature, less angry Jason, one who is working through the pain in his life and I just don't buy that he and Bruce would still act like hurt children. The story read like its only intent was to reestablish Jason's anger toward Bruce and vice versa, rather than continue their character development/growth. Which makes me incredibly sad.
Yeah, Bruce misleads Jason re: his intent in asking for Jason's help, bringing him to the site of Jason's death, a very painful thing for Jason, something he doesn't want to remember, all in the hopes Jason will recall something of his resurrection that might help Bruce bring back Damian. And here's where things go awry, because IMO, Jason has gotten past his own pain to forgive. He might not be happy, but he'd understand why Bruce did it. He, too, would want to bring Damian back if he could. It's taking the easy way out, storywise, for them to duke it out like spoiled brats who aren't getting their way.
So we go through all that just to get back to an antagonistic relationship between Bruce and Jason and I'm going to choose to ignore it. Maybe it'll carry over into RHATO, and that will be annoying, but that can't be helped. I just don't want this waste of paper sitting in my comics collection. It added nothing beyond insulting my intelligence and compassion as a reader for these characters. If I felt this was a natural progression of their story, I could accept it, but it felt no way natural. It felt manipulative and nasty. Peter Tomasi is a writer I've mostly liked, but not this time.
Showing posts with label Batman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Batman. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
DC Death Spoiler
Seriously, don't read unless you want to be spoiled for a book coming out this week. Namely, Batman Inc, which I don't read.
(Spoiler Space)
Okay? Still with me?
Apparently, DC revealed to the NY Post that Damian's buying the farm. Hardly the newspaper I'd choose, but whatever. While I had no problems with killing off Jason "Robin" Todd way back when, he was a teen and one of the most annoying characters in DC history. This Robin is a child. And while annoying, he's also fun to read about in all sorts of ways Jason never was.
I get that they want to get back to basics, perhaps, and Damian is not part of the original Batman and Robin concept because he's Bruce's flesh and blood. They shouldn't have kept him in the New 52 in the first place. The way the de-aged characters and collapsed time, Bats having so many Robins in so few years made no sense, let alone Bruce having a son as old as Damian. All this is is more child killing. First was Lian Harper, and now Damian Wayne. And I, for one, will not be reading it.
Since I consider the New 52 an alternate reality, I know Damian will still be alive in the old DCU, but as I was enjoying him with Huntress (and Power Girl) in World's Finest, I'll miss the kid. Jason was brought back to life. So were a lot of characters, so perhaps Damian will be revived someday, too. Probably in the next reboot, which should be in another 2-5 years.
(Spoiler Space)
Okay? Still with me?
Apparently, DC revealed to the NY Post that Damian's buying the farm. Hardly the newspaper I'd choose, but whatever. While I had no problems with killing off Jason "Robin" Todd way back when, he was a teen and one of the most annoying characters in DC history. This Robin is a child. And while annoying, he's also fun to read about in all sorts of ways Jason never was.
I get that they want to get back to basics, perhaps, and Damian is not part of the original Batman and Robin concept because he's Bruce's flesh and blood. They shouldn't have kept him in the New 52 in the first place. The way the de-aged characters and collapsed time, Bats having so many Robins in so few years made no sense, let alone Bruce having a son as old as Damian. All this is is more child killing. First was Lian Harper, and now Damian Wayne. And I, for one, will not be reading it.
Since I consider the New 52 an alternate reality, I know Damian will still be alive in the old DCU, but as I was enjoying him with Huntress (and Power Girl) in World's Finest, I'll miss the kid. Jason was brought back to life. So were a lot of characters, so perhaps Damian will be revived someday, too. Probably in the next reboot, which should be in another 2-5 years.
Monday, June 06, 2011
Bat Books
No. Just. No.
Not gonna be reading the new Bat books, except Batwoman, unless it relies too much on the new Bat order of things and starts to annoy me, and possibly Catwoman, unless it makes Selina too much of a villain and then, no to that, too.
I wasn't reading Batman and Detective until Dick became Batman and now I have no reason to continue with them. Nor do I care to read about Bruce and Damian as Batman and Robin. That's father and son more than mentor and mentee. I love reading the Dick and Damian team and I will treasure their wonderful run, but I can't go backward. For that reason, I can't bring myself to read Dick as Nightwing once more and that costume! Ugh. The red on the black just looks ridiculous.
Red Hood and the Outlaws sounds even worse. I never liked Jason Todd. Never. I'm one of the readers who voted for the Joker to blow him up. To have Roy teamed with him and Kory? No. Just. No. I don't care that he's got his arm back. I don't care that that cover is pretty. I'm sure he won't have a daughter, but even if Lian is there, this is just wrong. Roy and Jason? I'd read it only if Roy can beat the shit out of Jason every issue. That would be worth the price. However, this makes me feel ill:
I think I need to rest and eat some chocolate before I have a fit.
So, I pose a question, to anyone who still reads this blog: Given how infrequently I post while reading 15-20 books a month, and how fewer posts I'll be putting up here when I'm reading 5-10 titles per month, will anyone stick around and keep reading this humble blog?
Not gonna be reading the new Bat books, except Batwoman, unless it relies too much on the new Bat order of things and starts to annoy me, and possibly Catwoman, unless it makes Selina too much of a villain and then, no to that, too.
I wasn't reading Batman and Detective until Dick became Batman and now I have no reason to continue with them. Nor do I care to read about Bruce and Damian as Batman and Robin. That's father and son more than mentor and mentee. I love reading the Dick and Damian team and I will treasure their wonderful run, but I can't go backward. For that reason, I can't bring myself to read Dick as Nightwing once more and that costume! Ugh. The red on the black just looks ridiculous.
Red Hood and the Outlaws sounds even worse. I never liked Jason Todd. Never. I'm one of the readers who voted for the Joker to blow him up. To have Roy teamed with him and Kory? No. Just. No. I don't care that he's got his arm back. I don't care that that cover is pretty. I'm sure he won't have a daughter, but even if Lian is there, this is just wrong. Roy and Jason? I'd read it only if Roy can beat the shit out of Jason every issue. That would be worth the price. However, this makes me feel ill:
Jason Todd finds himself as a leader of a team of antiheroes – including "Green Arrow's rejected sidekick Arsenal and Starfire, a former prisoner of intergalactic war."Ollie rejected Roy? Ignored him, yes. Tossed him out when he caught him shooting up? Yes. But rejected him? Give me an f'in break. We've finally gotten to the point where Roy and Ollie had reconciled, never mind that crap after Lian was killed. And I don't like Roy called an anti-hero. He was always a hero. A very flawed, very human hero, but a hero none the less.
I think I need to rest and eat some chocolate before I have a fit.
So, I pose a question, to anyone who still reads this blog: Given how infrequently I post while reading 15-20 books a month, and how fewer posts I'll be putting up here when I'm reading 5-10 titles per month, will anyone stick around and keep reading this humble blog?
Friday, April 29, 2011
Oh Brightest Day
But first...
Detective 876
This is a perfect example of everything I love about Dick Grayson being Batman. The commissioner shows up to get Dick's help with a whale that appeared in the middle of a bank. The age-old question of whether or not Gordon's figured out Bruce was Batman and Dick now is is, of course, still unanswered, though I'm sure he knows or is nearly certain. But he does know there's a new Batman, so you've got to give Gordon credit for being a fairly astute, intuitive investigator. He rose to his rank and has stayed there for a reason. And there he is, talking with Dick about more than the whale's sudden appearance. He has to tell Dick the case is connected to Zucco, the man who killed Dick's parents. And after that bit, which throws Dick for a bit, Gordon asks him to meet with his son James. I just don't see this scene happening with Bruce as Batman, or not with the emotion that fills most of the panels. This just felt so real. I don't see Gordon asking Bruce to meet James. Bruce is the father figure to Dick and Tim, and he's a playboy and he just isn't someone you'd want to casually get to hang out with your son to see if he's changed for the better. But you do ask Dick, who's more a contemporary of James and who can relate better. And I just got such a warm fuzzy from the scene. It might go down as one of my favorite scenes in the Bat books.
Dick, of course, is not quite the seasoned Batman Bruce is, and he's not quite the automaton Bruce can be in the cowl, so he makes a few more mistakes, which lead to the inevitable issue-ending cliffhanger with his life in great danger, which makes him a very human hero who continues to impress me in his new role.
Scott Snyder, who wrote the issue, deserves kudos, and I hope the story gives me the emotional payoff I'm now expecting. And I can't say enough about how perfect Jock's art is. The 2-page spread showing the whale in the bank is impressive and the facial expressions on Dick and Gordon during their conversation are perfect.
Brightest Day 24
I loved the original Swamp Thing. Swamp Thing was Alec Holland, no ifs, ands, or buts. I didn't read the Vertigo version, but I've read how he was changed into being some sort of plant that thought he was Holland, possessing somehow, Alec's memories. And that was just wrong. It took away the human part of the equation, a beast who was once a man and who can't reverse what happened to him. Alec had to cope with his loss of humanity while somehow retaining it. He couldn't become a monster, but he could never again be truly human. He was a tragic, yet noble character. A plant, no matter who he thinks he is, is not and never was human. He couldn't be tragic. So I am very happy that Johns and Tomasi restored Alec to the Swamp Thing entity.
I was, however, pissed at Shiera being dead and Carter without his love. We'd better get a Hawkgirl/Hawkwoman back soon. And while I loved Kendra, I prefer Shiera.
I wasn't happy to see poor Boston die again, but he is destined to be Deadman, I guess. But we do have Aquaman and Mera together, so that's nice.
Was this a big deal, year-long EVENT story, worthy of capital letters? Maybe. It sure seemed disjointed at times and a bit obvious, with the resurrected characters getting the chance to tie up loose ends, so to speak, and ultimately, the story was about bringing back the one, true Swamp Thing. I'm glad I read it, but it really didn't have to be drawn out like this.
Detective 876
This is a perfect example of everything I love about Dick Grayson being Batman. The commissioner shows up to get Dick's help with a whale that appeared in the middle of a bank. The age-old question of whether or not Gordon's figured out Bruce was Batman and Dick now is is, of course, still unanswered, though I'm sure he knows or is nearly certain. But he does know there's a new Batman, so you've got to give Gordon credit for being a fairly astute, intuitive investigator. He rose to his rank and has stayed there for a reason. And there he is, talking with Dick about more than the whale's sudden appearance. He has to tell Dick the case is connected to Zucco, the man who killed Dick's parents. And after that bit, which throws Dick for a bit, Gordon asks him to meet with his son James. I just don't see this scene happening with Bruce as Batman, or not with the emotion that fills most of the panels. This just felt so real. I don't see Gordon asking Bruce to meet James. Bruce is the father figure to Dick and Tim, and he's a playboy and he just isn't someone you'd want to casually get to hang out with your son to see if he's changed for the better. But you do ask Dick, who's more a contemporary of James and who can relate better. And I just got such a warm fuzzy from the scene. It might go down as one of my favorite scenes in the Bat books.
Dick, of course, is not quite the seasoned Batman Bruce is, and he's not quite the automaton Bruce can be in the cowl, so he makes a few more mistakes, which lead to the inevitable issue-ending cliffhanger with his life in great danger, which makes him a very human hero who continues to impress me in his new role.
Scott Snyder, who wrote the issue, deserves kudos, and I hope the story gives me the emotional payoff I'm now expecting. And I can't say enough about how perfect Jock's art is. The 2-page spread showing the whale in the bank is impressive and the facial expressions on Dick and Gordon during their conversation are perfect.
Brightest Day 24
I loved the original Swamp Thing. Swamp Thing was Alec Holland, no ifs, ands, or buts. I didn't read the Vertigo version, but I've read how he was changed into being some sort of plant that thought he was Holland, possessing somehow, Alec's memories. And that was just wrong. It took away the human part of the equation, a beast who was once a man and who can't reverse what happened to him. Alec had to cope with his loss of humanity while somehow retaining it. He couldn't become a monster, but he could never again be truly human. He was a tragic, yet noble character. A plant, no matter who he thinks he is, is not and never was human. He couldn't be tragic. So I am very happy that Johns and Tomasi restored Alec to the Swamp Thing entity.
I was, however, pissed at Shiera being dead and Carter without his love. We'd better get a Hawkgirl/Hawkwoman back soon. And while I loved Kendra, I prefer Shiera.
I wasn't happy to see poor Boston die again, but he is destined to be Deadman, I guess. But we do have Aquaman and Mera together, so that's nice.
Was this a big deal, year-long EVENT story, worthy of capital letters? Maybe. It sure seemed disjointed at times and a bit obvious, with the resurrected characters getting the chance to tie up loose ends, so to speak, and ultimately, the story was about bringing back the one, true Swamp Thing. I'm glad I read it, but it really didn't have to be drawn out like this.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
More Catching Up
Hurt my shoulder, so I've been reading comics instead of playing Facebook games! Am all caught up on Green Lantern which is fitting in nicely with Brightest Day. I'm really loving Carol Ferris as a Star Sapphire. She has a real identity now and she's not a villain. Now if only they'd fix that costume. And Larfleeze is such fun. And Sinestro has become a wonderfully complex character. Good stuff here.
Caught up on the Bat books, too. Wow. I'm in awe of the details Grant Morrison worked into the books over time and how he set things up. Both Batman and Detective have been great and I especially enjoyed catching up with Batman and Robin. I loved The Return of Bruce Wayne and the way everything tied together with the other books. I was less impressed with the Return One-Shots, especially since I thought they were each standalones and got the ones with the characters I like only and didn't get the others. I could try to find those, I guess, but the overall story didn't thrill me. I was mostly interested in seeing everyone react to Bruce's return, and I got enough of that in what I did read. The scenes in Batman and Robin were my favorites. Dick's injured, Damian is ... well, Damian, and Bruce shows up. Great stuff there.
The only One-Shot I really enjoyed was the one with Batgirl. Bruce was right. Steph did need to prove something, to him, to herself, and it was a nice recap of their history together and taking things to the next level. She's now accepted by him as a member of the Bat team, which is awesome. She was never a character I cared about one way or the other, since I didn't really read her when she was Spoiler. I only started reading the Bat books again (other than Catwoman and Birds of Prey and Nightwing) when Dick took over as Bats. But I did read the crime war story and thought Steph got a raw deal. If Bruce had trusted her, she would never have done what she did and started the war. That's when I started to get interested in her and she was killed, so I was glad when she was brought back and became Batgirl. She's become a strong character and a fun one. She deserves this chance.
I liked the first story in Batman Incorporated, but will reserve judgment before deciding if it belongs on my pull list. I like Bruce, but he doesn't interest me as much as Dick. I guess it depends on the Bat folk Bruce recruits, what their stories and personalities are, that will decide it for me.
Now to figure out what to read next. The stacks are still rather tall.
Caught up on the Bat books, too. Wow. I'm in awe of the details Grant Morrison worked into the books over time and how he set things up. Both Batman and Detective have been great and I especially enjoyed catching up with Batman and Robin. I loved The Return of Bruce Wayne and the way everything tied together with the other books. I was less impressed with the Return One-Shots, especially since I thought they were each standalones and got the ones with the characters I like only and didn't get the others. I could try to find those, I guess, but the overall story didn't thrill me. I was mostly interested in seeing everyone react to Bruce's return, and I got enough of that in what I did read. The scenes in Batman and Robin were my favorites. Dick's injured, Damian is ... well, Damian, and Bruce shows up. Great stuff there.
The only One-Shot I really enjoyed was the one with Batgirl. Bruce was right. Steph did need to prove something, to him, to herself, and it was a nice recap of their history together and taking things to the next level. She's now accepted by him as a member of the Bat team, which is awesome. She was never a character I cared about one way or the other, since I didn't really read her when she was Spoiler. I only started reading the Bat books again (other than Catwoman and Birds of Prey and Nightwing) when Dick took over as Bats. But I did read the crime war story and thought Steph got a raw deal. If Bruce had trusted her, she would never have done what she did and started the war. That's when I started to get interested in her and she was killed, so I was glad when she was brought back and became Batgirl. She's become a strong character and a fun one. She deserves this chance.
I liked the first story in Batman Incorporated, but will reserve judgment before deciding if it belongs on my pull list. I like Bruce, but he doesn't interest me as much as Dick. I guess it depends on the Bat folk Bruce recruits, what their stories and personalities are, that will decide it for me.
Now to figure out what to read next. The stacks are still rather tall.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Short and Sweet
The stack of comics waiting to be read is now a mountain. Actually, two of them. *sigh* Here's what I read recently.
Titans 14
I skimmed this. It focused on Vic. He ended up deciding a social life would be nice and went on a date. For some reason, I feel as if we've been through this before. Plus, it was boring.
Trinity 51-52
Nice end to this weekly series that cut to the heart of what makes Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman tick, and why they're the mind, heart, and soul of the DCU.
Greem Arrow and Black Canary 20
GA and BC see a marriage counselor, Dinah flashes back to discovering her Canary cry when she was a teen, Ollie's crazy stalker is back, and some other stuff happened. I must still be reading this for Ollie and Dinah; it can't be for the stories.
Justice League of America 33
Some nice moments for Dr. Light don't make up for the complete mess this book became. I appreciate the frustrations McDuffie had on this book re: editorial issues, but I'm hoping the next writer finds a way to make this work, because really, when the main characters become a sidenote in their own team book, something's wrong. And when the best part of a book is a preview for another book, well, that's the end right there.
Supergirl 41
Now here's a turnaround that worked. Rather than try to fix the mess left by his predecessors and risk making something murky murkier, Sterling Gates started writing a superior version of Kara, gave her a whole new outlook, a supporting cast that makes sense, and worked her into the overall Superman storyline to give SG a cohesive storyline and solid place in the DCU. His characterizations, pacing, dialogue, and plotting are first rate. After the big reveal of last issue re: Superwoman, he didn't stop with the surprises, and gave Kara a real jolt that will no doubt resonate for the next story arc and beyond. Kara matters again, and I couldn't be happier.
Wonder Woman 32
Gail Simone has really put Diana through the wringer since taking over this book and Diana is the better for it. She's stronger than she's ever been, physically and emotionally. She's a survivor, tough but fair, caring and determined, confident and capable, and when she's at her lowest, she claws her way back up, yet she never compromises her principles, no matter how frustrated, angry, or desperate she gets. As for where she and Tom might end up, who knows, but there's nothing simple or cliched about their relationship.
Batman and Robin 1
I haven't read an actual Batman book, other than the crossovers (notably The Search for Oracle and the gangwar storyline when Stephanie Brown was supposedly killed). I read the peripheral titles, mainly Nightwing, Catwoman, and Birds of Prey. I was getting tired of Bruce and as with Superman, decided, when I returned to comics in the mid-'90s, to not read the main Batman and Sueprman titles to help keep things manageable (yeah, that coulda worked out better). But I knew Dick won the cowl, so I picked this up, trusting Morrison and loving Quitely's art, and I was far from disappointed. This was fun. Creepy villains, strong dialogue, perfect characterization, and a sense of wonder put this title on my pull list. I don't know Damian well, and I don't really like him, but he's a good counterpoint to Dick. Personality-wise, Dick and Bruce were very different, and that holds for Dick and Damian. Dick and Tim would've lacked that byplay, as they have felt more like brothers when they've teamed up in the past. Dick and Damian have the feel of the old Bruce and Dick team, with a difference, a role reversal when their personalities are considered. Quitely's art is the perfect complement, catching nuances in expressions and filling in details in the backgrounds. The book is a perfect jumping on point and it's a great example of the sort of thing that made me fall in love with comics in the first place.
Zorro 13
This continues to excel, getting better and better with each issue, with its new spin on an old, beloved character. Solid writing and art keep this book on my list of favorites.
Titans 14
I skimmed this. It focused on Vic. He ended up deciding a social life would be nice and went on a date. For some reason, I feel as if we've been through this before. Plus, it was boring.
Trinity 51-52
Nice end to this weekly series that cut to the heart of what makes Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman tick, and why they're the mind, heart, and soul of the DCU.
Greem Arrow and Black Canary 20
GA and BC see a marriage counselor, Dinah flashes back to discovering her Canary cry when she was a teen, Ollie's crazy stalker is back, and some other stuff happened. I must still be reading this for Ollie and Dinah; it can't be for the stories.
Justice League of America 33
Some nice moments for Dr. Light don't make up for the complete mess this book became. I appreciate the frustrations McDuffie had on this book re: editorial issues, but I'm hoping the next writer finds a way to make this work, because really, when the main characters become a sidenote in their own team book, something's wrong. And when the best part of a book is a preview for another book, well, that's the end right there.
Supergirl 41
Now here's a turnaround that worked. Rather than try to fix the mess left by his predecessors and risk making something murky murkier, Sterling Gates started writing a superior version of Kara, gave her a whole new outlook, a supporting cast that makes sense, and worked her into the overall Superman storyline to give SG a cohesive storyline and solid place in the DCU. His characterizations, pacing, dialogue, and plotting are first rate. After the big reveal of last issue re: Superwoman, he didn't stop with the surprises, and gave Kara a real jolt that will no doubt resonate for the next story arc and beyond. Kara matters again, and I couldn't be happier.
Wonder Woman 32
Gail Simone has really put Diana through the wringer since taking over this book and Diana is the better for it. She's stronger than she's ever been, physically and emotionally. She's a survivor, tough but fair, caring and determined, confident and capable, and when she's at her lowest, she claws her way back up, yet she never compromises her principles, no matter how frustrated, angry, or desperate she gets. As for where she and Tom might end up, who knows, but there's nothing simple or cliched about their relationship.
Batman and Robin 1
I haven't read an actual Batman book, other than the crossovers (notably The Search for Oracle and the gangwar storyline when Stephanie Brown was supposedly killed). I read the peripheral titles, mainly Nightwing, Catwoman, and Birds of Prey. I was getting tired of Bruce and as with Superman, decided, when I returned to comics in the mid-'90s, to not read the main Batman and Sueprman titles to help keep things manageable (yeah, that coulda worked out better). But I knew Dick won the cowl, so I picked this up, trusting Morrison and loving Quitely's art, and I was far from disappointed. This was fun. Creepy villains, strong dialogue, perfect characterization, and a sense of wonder put this title on my pull list. I don't know Damian well, and I don't really like him, but he's a good counterpoint to Dick. Personality-wise, Dick and Bruce were very different, and that holds for Dick and Damian. Dick and Tim would've lacked that byplay, as they have felt more like brothers when they've teamed up in the past. Dick and Damian have the feel of the old Bruce and Dick team, with a difference, a role reversal when their personalities are considered. Quitely's art is the perfect complement, catching nuances in expressions and filling in details in the backgrounds. The book is a perfect jumping on point and it's a great example of the sort of thing that made me fall in love with comics in the first place.
Zorro 13
This continues to excel, getting better and better with each issue, with its new spin on an old, beloved character. Solid writing and art keep this book on my list of favorites.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
It's Batman
I was looking for something else and came upon this in my files, which I'd completely forgotten about, so I thought I'd share. I don't recall the comicon I was at when I got this, but as you can see, Marshall Rogers drew and signed it in 1978.
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