Post by ryokowerx on Sept 11, 2011 13:37:52 GMT -5
(cross-posted from my Facebook account. I hadn't originally intended on picking up all the new #1s but the 50% off deal at DCBS turned out to be too good to pass up. Feel free to discuss, agree or disagree)
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
PLOT SUMMARY:
Batman is tracking down a killer who has targeted several of The Joker's acquaintances. They are found with body parts missing and usually part of their face. Batman is convinced that The Joker is responsible and is closing up any loose ends that could be followed back to him. Batman finds Joker in the midst of attacking a man. As he is subduing Joker a explosion happens and the Gotham City Police Department raid the building. Batman gets away but not before rescuing a young girl. Joker gets away but Batman tracks him to a train and they fight before Batman takes him down and carts him off to Arkham Asylum. While in his cell, Joker meets a mysterious figure, there is a revelation about the man who Joker killed in the warehouse, and a transformation happens.
THE ART:
Detective Comics is a bit of a odd duck in that both the art and the writing is done by Tony Daniel. As you can expect, the art is dark with lots of shadows and generally accomplishes the dark atmosphere of Gotham City. There is nothing wrong at all with the art. In fact, it is nicely done with some slight exaggerations of the human forms (namely Joker) to make them more menacing. I'd give the art a "above average" rating but doesn't really do anything to blow you away, even if there are some really neat angles and perspective that Daniel plays with.
THE STORY:
On the surface, you might mistake this for a standard Batman vs. Joker story with not a whole lot to make it stand out. I'd beg to differ. There are several plot elements put into play here that is laying some groundwork for something that I think will be big. And I mean above and beyond what happens to Joker in Arkham - mainly why was the mysterious figure's son doing what he was doing? And why was it set up? Like I said, there is some nasty stuff going on beneath the table and I'm curious to see what it is. I'd have to deduct a few points for unnecessary gruesomeness in the final panel but that is more personal taste.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
It clocks in at the standard $2.99 cover price. The art is good and the story drops enough mysteries to keep me interested. However, as much as I appreciate what's going on here, there needs to be some quick resolution. Otherwise there is little reason for me to not wait for the trade so I can read the whole story without waiting a month between parts and I can get the trade cheaper (through various online booksellers) than buying the individual issues (either print or digital). Basically, if you're a big Batman fan this is probably a no-brainer. For me, it's a wait-and-see. I'll pick up the next issue and see if it still keeps me willing to wait for #3. A story lull is going to be the "death" of this one for me.
NEXT WEEK:
Batgirl #1, Batwing #1, Green Arrow #1, Hawk and Dove #1, Justice League International #1, Men of War #1, O.M.A.C. #1, Static Shock #1, Stormwatch #1 and Swamp Thing #1.
DETECTIVE COMICS #1
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
WARNING! SPOILERS OFF THE PORT BOW CAP'N!
PLOT SUMMARY:
Batman is tracking down a killer who has targeted several of The Joker's acquaintances. They are found with body parts missing and usually part of their face. Batman is convinced that The Joker is responsible and is closing up any loose ends that could be followed back to him. Batman finds Joker in the midst of attacking a man. As he is subduing Joker a explosion happens and the Gotham City Police Department raid the building. Batman gets away but not before rescuing a young girl. Joker gets away but Batman tracks him to a train and they fight before Batman takes him down and carts him off to Arkham Asylum. While in his cell, Joker meets a mysterious figure, there is a revelation about the man who Joker killed in the warehouse, and a transformation happens.
THE ART:
Detective Comics is a bit of a odd duck in that both the art and the writing is done by Tony Daniel. As you can expect, the art is dark with lots of shadows and generally accomplishes the dark atmosphere of Gotham City. There is nothing wrong at all with the art. In fact, it is nicely done with some slight exaggerations of the human forms (namely Joker) to make them more menacing. I'd give the art a "above average" rating but doesn't really do anything to blow you away, even if there are some really neat angles and perspective that Daniel plays with.
THE STORY:
On the surface, you might mistake this for a standard Batman vs. Joker story with not a whole lot to make it stand out. I'd beg to differ. There are several plot elements put into play here that is laying some groundwork for something that I think will be big. And I mean above and beyond what happens to Joker in Arkham - mainly why was the mysterious figure's son doing what he was doing? And why was it set up? Like I said, there is some nasty stuff going on beneath the table and I'm curious to see what it is. I'd have to deduct a few points for unnecessary gruesomeness in the final panel but that is more personal taste.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
It clocks in at the standard $2.99 cover price. The art is good and the story drops enough mysteries to keep me interested. However, as much as I appreciate what's going on here, there needs to be some quick resolution. Otherwise there is little reason for me to not wait for the trade so I can read the whole story without waiting a month between parts and I can get the trade cheaper (through various online booksellers) than buying the individual issues (either print or digital). Basically, if you're a big Batman fan this is probably a no-brainer. For me, it's a wait-and-see. I'll pick up the next issue and see if it still keeps me willing to wait for #3. A story lull is going to be the "death" of this one for me.
NEXT WEEK:
Batgirl #1, Batwing #1, Green Arrow #1, Hawk and Dove #1, Justice League International #1, Men of War #1, O.M.A.C. #1, Static Shock #1, Stormwatch #1 and Swamp Thing #1.