Post by ryokowerx on Sept 16, 2011 19:32:55 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:
The issue opens with Detective Sawyer of the Gotham City Police Department taking a statement from two terrified parents who had their children taken by La Llorona - the "Weeping Woman" who steals children and then drowns them - and Batwoman's promise to them to get their kids back. Sawyer leaves her office and meets Kate Kane and the two arrange to go out on a date. Later, Batwoman and the ex-Flamebird are out on patrol beating up third-rate villains. Meanwhile, at the Department of Extranormal Operations, Agent Chase is assigned by Director Bones to investigate Batwoman. Returning home, Kate confronts her father. As Batwoman is investigating a crime scene in the park, she encounters Batman who says he has a proposition for her.
THE ART:
Dear Lord, where do I begin? The art is just stunning and is handled by J.H. Williams III. If you've ever had someone look down their nose at you for reading "funny books," you should show Batwoman to them. I'd argue that it transcends commercial illustration and goes into the territory of fine art. Colors are muted and really give a watercolor effect to the art and the brilliant red and black color scheme for Batwoman really makes her pop off the page. This is a book that can be bought solely for artwork alone.
THE STORY:
Writing for Batwoman is shared between J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman. There is a lot of things going on in this issue to hook the reader: the La Llonora mystery, the missing kids, the former relationship between Kate and Renee Montoya (who may or may not be dead), the developing relationship between Kate and Detective Sawyer, the impending arrival of Agent Chase, the conflict with her father and the training of Bette. The biggest problem with it though is that it is not even remotely new reader friendly. Knowledge of Batwoman's exploits in the previous run of Detective Comics and the months old issue of Batwoman #0 is really necessary to understand a lot of Kate's past with both her father, Bette and her sister. There is brief attempts during the comic to help but it really feels like your only skimming the surface of what is there. Still, with that said, the writing is terrific and I'd recommend just jumping in with both feet and figuring it out as you read.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
For only $2.99 you get a book with absolutely stunning art and a deep involved story. As much as often complain about the cost of comics, this is one book that is completely worth every cent paid for it. I'll be back for #2 and every issue afterwards if this is the kind of quality I can expect to get every month.
NEXT WEEK:
Demon Knights #1, Frankenstein: Agent Of Shade #1, Grifter #1, Mister Terrific #1, Resurrection Man #1, and Suicide Squad #1.
BATWOMAN #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:
The issue opens with Detective Sawyer of the Gotham City Police Department taking a statement from two terrified parents who had their children taken by La Llorona - the "Weeping Woman" who steals children and then drowns them - and Batwoman's promise to them to get their kids back. Sawyer leaves her office and meets Kate Kane and the two arrange to go out on a date. Later, Batwoman and the ex-Flamebird are out on patrol beating up third-rate villains. Meanwhile, at the Department of Extranormal Operations, Agent Chase is assigned by Director Bones to investigate Batwoman. Returning home, Kate confronts her father. As Batwoman is investigating a crime scene in the park, she encounters Batman who says he has a proposition for her.
THE ART:
Dear Lord, where do I begin? The art is just stunning and is handled by J.H. Williams III. If you've ever had someone look down their nose at you for reading "funny books," you should show Batwoman to them. I'd argue that it transcends commercial illustration and goes into the territory of fine art. Colors are muted and really give a watercolor effect to the art and the brilliant red and black color scheme for Batwoman really makes her pop off the page. This is a book that can be bought solely for artwork alone.
THE STORY:
Writing for Batwoman is shared between J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman. There is a lot of things going on in this issue to hook the reader: the La Llonora mystery, the missing kids, the former relationship between Kate and Renee Montoya (who may or may not be dead), the developing relationship between Kate and Detective Sawyer, the impending arrival of Agent Chase, the conflict with her father and the training of Bette. The biggest problem with it though is that it is not even remotely new reader friendly. Knowledge of Batwoman's exploits in the previous run of Detective Comics and the months old issue of Batwoman #0 is really necessary to understand a lot of Kate's past with both her father, Bette and her sister. There is brief attempts during the comic to help but it really feels like your only skimming the surface of what is there. Still, with that said, the writing is terrific and I'd recommend just jumping in with both feet and figuring it out as you read.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
For only $2.99 you get a book with absolutely stunning art and a deep involved story. As much as often complain about the cost of comics, this is one book that is completely worth every cent paid for it. I'll be back for #2 and every issue afterwards if this is the kind of quality I can expect to get every month.
NEXT WEEK:
Demon Knights #1, Frankenstein: Agent Of Shade #1, Grifter #1, Mister Terrific #1, Resurrection Man #1, and Suicide Squad #1.
, but overall, the layout style of Williams really sets the book apart and makes a reader work (happily) toward following the dialog along. The threat of La Llorona is an interesting one, and I look forward to seeing it unwrapped; as do I look forward to the relationship between Maggie Sawyer (a favorite from the old Byrne Superman run) and Kate Kane. The way they settled on a date was both classically romance sweet, and yet very simple as two people tend to be in real life, at the same time.