Batman: The Return, #1 One Shot – Comic Book Review

Reviewer: Evelyn Finch

Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: David Finch
Genre: Comic Book
MSRP: $4.99 U.S.
Release Date: Available Now

Whether you like it or not, the Batman universe is changing and the one-man-war-against-crime has now become something else that neither Gotham City or the world has seen before. In the past, Batman has had allies in his battles but a sudden disappearance and now re-appearance has made the man named Bruce Wayne realize that one bat and a Robin can’t do it alone. It’s time for a new ideas and nothing will ever be the same as we see in the first one-shot issue of Batman: The Return.

You can say whatever you will of Grant Morrison but the man can tell a story and oftentimes he does not disappoint. He also brings up some interesting themes in his stories as well as bring us to the sudden realization that Bruce Wayne, the man who has taken the fight to the criminal underworld, is not getting any younger as the opening indicates in its interestingly unique way. Oh, but there is still plenty of fight in Bruce Wayne and his announcement (in the end of Batman and Robin #16) is but the very tip-top of the iceberg.

When we first see Batman in this issue, he is going up against an armed terrorist named Hussain Mohammed holding a boy hostage. The terrorist will not give up, that much is sure, mainly because of fear. However, it isn’t fear of the bat but rather the group known as Leviathan. He’s willing to detonate himself with the boy because of this fear but this is the original Batman and he manages to save the day as well as deliver a cryptic warning to the boy’s father, Farouk.

Back in the Bat Cave, the original Batman finds himself standing before his allies that also include the man that took up the Batman costume while Bruce was missing and the new Robin (who so happens to be Bruce’s son). He even has Barbara Gordon attend his meeting. Having made his announcement, Bruce makes it clear that he wants everyone in the room to be a part of his new venture. He even introduces the new Internet 3.0 for Gordon to use as her role will take on an even more expanded range via the net.

He even heads to Wayne Industries, once again using new technology introduced by Lucius Fox such as combat robots that can be controlled via remote that was scraped by the U.S. military. It’s clear that Bruce is thinking out of the box for his new plan and that includes new weapons and tech to aid this new venture. There is definitely some potential in all the things this new crime fighting initiative will introduce such as some new jet-suits with short-range flight capabilities.

In fact, Bruce tests out these suits with his son, Damian, on an actual mission as Batman and Robin. Sure, we’ve seen Damian take up the Robin role with Dick Grayson but seeing him as Robin as his father’s backup is something else altogether. Unfortunately, Bruce wasn’t aware just how really different he is from the other Robins. Damian is challenging, unsupportive and certainly doesn’t take instructions. As they enter a bio-engineering plant in Yemen.

Damian feels he’s being tested by his father, a fact that makes him uncooperative during the mission and when a biologically-enhanced superhuman bodyguard attacks them, the fight falls on Batman’s hands while Robin leaves to explore the place further. Robin encounters a mysterious enemy who won’t tell him his name only that Robin will come to know him well very soon. Unfortunately, this mysterious figure gets away but it becomes clear that Leviathan is definitely making its move.

Quite possibly the most interesting event in this issue, however, is the aftermath of the mission. Bruce makes a rather cold decision about Damian’s future as Robin and it’s evident that the relationship between father and son will make for some intriguing possibilities down the line that may lead to some conflict between the two.

As I mentioned in the beginning, Grant Morrison might not be everyone’s cup of tea when it comes to the Batman but you do have to admit that he is more than capable of opening a door and surprising us with what comes out of it. I also like David Finch’s artwork and have even loved it in the past to the point that I’ve sung his praises many a times. And no, we’re not related, so my praise is genuinely out of respect for his work.

Batman: The Return is definitely the one-shot comic Batman fans will certainly should have among their collection. Sure, it’s a bit on the short side (the rest is dedicated to sketches and Morrison’s script) but it’s a good taste of the things we can expect from the Dark Knight and his new war on crime. These are interesting times, Batman fans, and consider us onboard for this one.

COMIC REVOLUTION RATING BREAKDOWN

STORY: B+
Batman’s new war against crime is not just a plan anymore but the Caped Crusader is putting things in motion as he gather’s Gotham City’s current crop of crime fighters that include his own son, the new Robin. Speaking of Damian, Bruce takes him out on the field only to come to an interesting conclusion about his role. Meanwhile, Leviathan steps up their plans and setting the game in motion.

ART: A
A good artist is one who doesn’t fail to impress with their craft but a great artist is one who make sit up on your seat and burn his art into your memory until you recognize their work immediately. Finch, of course, is the second one. My only complaint is that he just doesn’t quite do facial expressions justice but you have to admit that Finch draws an awesome Batman. I love the sketches at the end as well.

OVERALL: B+
An intriguing beginning filled with promises we hope Batman’s new venture will continue to follow, Batman: The Return is sure to please hardcore fans of the Dark Knight. Grant Morrison has shown us plenty in the past and what he’s capable of doing with the Batman series so here’s hoping that he continues to surprise us now that Batman’s war on crime has gone globe trekking.

Review copy provided by DC Comics

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North 40 – Graphic Novel Review

 

Reviewer: Frosty McKenzie

Publisher: WildStorm (DC Comics)
Writer: Aaron Williams
Artist: Fiona Staples
Genre: Graphic Novel (Softcover)
MSRP: $17.99 U.S.
Release Date: Available Now

North 40 is one of those special rarities that made 2009 some a great year for comic book fans everywhere and the reason is simple: North 40 is everything you can want in a comic. This series is so good that WildStorm brings us all six issues in one soft cover collection and believe me when I say that if you never heard of North 40, well partner, you are missing out on one of the best series that will not fail ending up in your top favorites.

Welcome to Conover County, a little slice of trailer park Americana where nothing seems to happen except for the usual small county routines. In the small library in Lufton, a young named Robert and a young girl named Dyan open up a strange book loaned out to them from the local university. As they are suddenly compelled to speak a strange incantation that – in an instant – the library explodes leaving a huge crater in its wake. Oh, but that’s not all, because all the residents in the area blackout in the same instant and faint where they stood.

When they all wake up, Conover County and its residents have changed in strange ways. There’s Wyatt Hinkle who was driving his daddy’s pickup truck when the event occurred only to wake up with the power of invulnerability as well as flight. On the other side, Sheriff Morgan wakes up only to discover that that no good David Atterhull somehow managed to break the handcuffs to pieces. It’s the Atterhull clan that sees that Dave became a hulking giant who now believes the Atterhull clan will finally get what they always wanted … total control of the county.

Then there’s Amanda Walker, a young woman who wakes up to the voice of an old woman who tells Amanda that an old evil has awakened by the two students in the library. So Amanda is chosen by this old witch to become her apprentice and this earns her some magical ability as well as a rusty farmer’s scythe. Then there’s Luanne who works as a waitress at the local diner, she wakes up with the ability to really see what’s going on and is the one that realizes that there’s a barrier that won’t allow anything to leave … even the wildlife.

Oh, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg because most folks in the county aren’t so lucky and have become something monstrous. There’s Jennifer who fell into the water while she was with the boy she loves when the event occurred and thus died but returned as a zombie capable of resurrecting the dead. Wyatt’s father become some kind of dirt monster and there’s the owner of the junkyard who is creating mechanical beasts using the dismembered heads of his victim.

Just about the only one keeping up with the law is Sheriff Morgan who is getting help from a dead woman running dispatch along with notes that Luanne is sending him via animals. He saves a girl the Atterhulls have with them when they take over a local bar but comes to recognize that Wyatt Hinkle – who takes down a vampire and a bully who showed up at his farm with telekinesis – is perfect deputy material.

When something happens to Wyatt’s father, he joins the Sheriff in keeping the peace and along with Amanda who is helping as well. While the Sheriff is dealing with the Atterhull clan that is out to get revenge for all the years the Sheriff arrested them, Wyatt heads to the High school where a dance turns into a massacre lead by Jennifer and her zombie cohorts. Meanwhile, it becomes clear that Wyatt, Amanda and the Sheriff will have to face the awakened being to put an end to all of the madness once and for all.

Aaron Williams certainly knows how to tell a good yarn and does so with enough wit and charm that the dialogue is brilliant and the characters are fleshed out enough that you’ll care about them. On top of that, the story itself is wonderfully inventive (e.g. Granny Atterhull using old photos of herself to “see” everywhere). Also, I can’t begin to describe the jaw-dropping beauty of Fiona Staple’s work. You know you’re looking at greatness when each panel deserves more than just a passing glance.

There are comics and then there are comic book experiences and North 40 is definitely an experience that draws its inspiration from Lovecraft to King and blends it perfectly into one compelling and addictively brilliant graphic novel. Both Aaron Williams and Fiona Staples are a phenomenal team that brings perfect storytelling and drop-dead gorgeous artwork together to make this collection of North 40 a genuine instant classic.

COMIC REVOLUTION RATING BREAKDOWN

STORY: A+
Conover County is about to experience a rude awakening when two High school students read from an ancient book that suddenly turns this little dot on the map into a living nightmare. Now the county’s Sheriff, a farm boy with Superman-like powers and a witch’s apprentice find themselves rushing to save the county from an ancient evil of the Cthulhu kind that has awakened. That’s easier said than done since the rest of the folks out there have changed … in the most unusual ways.

ART: A+
Fiona Staples is a genius of her craft and it shows in every page of this book down to the last detail. On top of that, the covers are simply too stunning for words. It’s no wonder she got an Eisner nomination for her work on this series.

OVERALL: A+
North 40 is a comic book experience that comes very rarely but when it does you’ll appreciate every single panel all the way to the end of the book. It’s an intelligently-written and gorgeously drawn work of art that grabs you by the throat and promises not to let go. If you missed it the first time, this is the collection you need to buy right away.

Review copy provided by WildStorm (DC Comics)

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Vertigo Resurrected: Winter’s Edge #1 – Comic Book Review

Reviewer: Evelyn Finch

Publisher: (Vertigo) DC Comics
Writers: Neil Gaiman, Paul Jenkins, Caitlyn R. Kiernan, Peter Hogan, Garth Ennis, Peter Milligan, Peter Gross, Dave Gibbons and Brian K. Vaughan
Artists: John Bolton, Paul Pope, Duncan Fegredo, Jeff Jones, Glyn Dillon, Sean Phillips, Kent Williams, Michael Lark, Dave Gibbons, Roger Peterson, Joe Rubinstein, Michael Zulli and Lee Bermejo (cover)
Genre: Comic Book
MSRP: $7.99 U.S.
Release Date: Available Now

The Vertigo Resurrected series has already made big fans out of us since we got our hands on Revolver which is a collection of stories that just didn’t see the light of day until now. Luckily for us, Vertigo continues the series this time with Vertigo Resurrected: Winter’s Edge #1 and its winter/holiday theme with a deliciously dark twist.

This 100-paged collection brings us ten tales told from some of the best writers and artists and some of these stories feature familiar characters from other Vertigo/DC Comics series. Winter’s Edge #1 begins with a story by about a sexy Satyr who has spent his life enticing and bedding women of all kinds be it Naiads, Dryads or human. Unfortunately, the years have not been kind to enchanted creatures and little-by-little they all begin to disappear. On top of that the Satyr has gotten old to the point that the creator of all enchanted creatures appears before him. It is then that the Satyr makes a final request that is granted.

Winter’s Edge #1 also brings us not one but three John Constantine stories, one of which is a heartbreaking and beautifully written story that finds Constantine escaping to a bar on Christmas only to run into a likeable man who tells him his story. It seems that the man is a music reviewer for a known music magazine who becomes involved with a fellow co-worker who falls for his charming ways. Sadly, fate has a way of turning a good thing into a tragedy as the man reveals his fate.

In another Constantine story, John remembers childhood friends and reveals a side of him we rarely get to see that proves he was quite a prankster. Finally, there’s “Another Bloody Christmas,” a written short story about Constantine trailing a demon that was summoned by a poor fool’s meddling with a Ouija board he received as a present. Leave it to John Constantine to make Christmas bloody, frightening and exciting as he faces off against the very demon that stole a man’s Santa suit.

There’s also a Swamp Thing story that revolves around Tefe Holland who sneaks into a professor of botany’s home during a police standoff. Tefe, you see, is the product of a human mother and a very familiar plant elemental. As it turns out, the Professor has lost an infant and the cause is something very common around Christmas time. Then there’s The Book of Magic story that finds Tim Hunter now living as Mary (by a means of magic, mind you) as they encounter two Hardy Boys-like sleuths who just happen to have a most unusual secret.

In “The Dreaming: Deck the Halls,” we find our good friend Cain has a very Scrooge-like attitude towards Christmas and even more so when he takes a nasty tumble down the stairs of his rickety old mansion. It’s always a blast to see Cain get annoyed and even more so in this story with the people around him enjoying the festivities while he’s definitely not enjoying the holiday cheerfulness of the people around him. There’s also a story about a young Jewish man who owes money and gets in touch with his religious roots by way of his dying grandmother. There’ also a short story about a feminine entity that might very well represent winter’s deadly touch.

As I said, the 100-page collection of stories features some of the best writers and artists and it shows in every page. Even if you’re not a Hellbrazer fans – and you will be after reading “Tell Me” – there are more than enough outstanding tales of a dark and twisted nature. There is also some amazing artwork here as well, especially when it comes to the always amazing John Bolton.

Vertigo Resurrected: Winter’s Edge #1 is yet another reason you will be glad you’re a comic book fan. It’s work like this that will make you appreciate this art form even more and seeing as this is a winter theme we’re hoping there will be more editions to Winter’s Edge for a long time to come. You just have to love a series that offers something for all tastes. You can now consider us addicted to Vertigo Resurrected.

COMIC REVOLUTION RATING BREAKDOWN

STORY: A+
The collection covers three Hellblazer stories whether its our favorite supernatural sleuth drinking with a dead man, hunting a freed demon or reminiscing about childhood. We also get a Christmas story with Cain and a Books of Magic winter-themed story. A devilishly handsome Satyr asks to woo one last woman in another story and in another story finds a young girl jumping into a hostage situation to find out what she is in a connected Swamp Thing tale.

ART: A+
Along with the collection of great writers, the Vertigo Resurrected line also brings together some of the best artists working in comics whether it’s John Bolton’s exquisite watercolor art or Michael Zulli’s classic penciling that makes this a comic with enough great visuals to admire.

OVERALL: A+
It’s clear that the Vertigo Resurrected series is home to some of the best writers and artists in comics and it’s this winning combination that makes Winter’s Edge #1 a brilliant collection you need to own if you love a comic spectacular worth your money. You just have to have this one, comic fans, trust me.

Review copy provided by Vertigo (DC Comics)

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Superman Vs. Muhammad Ali, Facsimile Edition – Graphic Novel Review

Reviewer: Frosty McKenzie

Publisher: DC Comics
Writers: Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams
Artist: Neal Adams
Genre: Graphic Novel (Hardcover Facsimile Edition)
MSRP: $39.99 U.S.
Release Date: Available Now

Dismissing this hardcover facsimile edition of Superman Vs. Muhammad Ali as a crossover that makes absolutely no sense would be a great mistake. If you know Muhammad Ali you might not find the notion of him going toe-to-toe with the Man of Steel is not such a gimmicky notion and with Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams handling the story you will find that Ali is the type of man that makes you believe that anything is possible – it’s no wonder that DC Comics has decided to bring this classic back.

Originally released in 1978, Superman Vs. Muhammad Ali is a story that takes place when Ali was not only the champ but already considered the best fighter professional boxing has ever produced so having Ali show up in a comic wasn’t such a bad idea. In this story, Clark Kent, Jimmy Olsen and are hitting Metropolis’ ghetto for WGBS on a tip that Muhammad Ali is in the area. As it turns out, the tip Jimmy got from his friend was reliable seeing as the champ himself is shooting hoops with the local kids.

Not turning down their request for a quick on-camera interview, Ali is his usual witty and not so-modest-to-compliment-his-greatness self. Suddenly, a quick flash interrupts the interview as an alien Emperor from a far more advanced planet has come in search of Muhammad Ali. Clark is, one again, quick to disappear and return as Superman. It seems this alien named Rat’lar of the Scrubb has come to make Ali a proposal … fight his people’s most formidable fighter in the ring for the fate of planet Earth. As Superman finds out, Rat’lar has an armada just waiting to lay waste to our planet.

Superman sees this as his job and not that of a great prizefighter but Ali isn’t the kind of man that would back down from any challenge no matter how bad things look. This, of course, causes Superman and Ali to disagree so Rat’lar proposes that Superman fight Ali for the right to take on the Scrubb’s champion. They are given a deadline of 24 hours and Superman suggest they spend it preparing for the bout in his Fortress of Solitude that has the ability to stretch 24 hours into several weeks.

Interestingly enough, Ali gives Superman a fascinating lesson on the finer points of the Sweet Science and comparing each punch to parts of a conversation.

“A hook begins as a question and ends as a statement,” Ali says. “If the statement is strong, he’ll be starin’ at the ceiling.”

As crazy as it is to see a real-life athlete teaching Superman a lesson in fighting, Ali does make a lot of sense to the Man of Steel. Unfortunately, Rat’lar finds out that Superman used a time-slowing technology and makes his threats against Earth all the more frightening. With no choice but to stop training and accept the challenge. Superman takes Ali straight to Scrubb’s main ship where the fights will take place and Rat’lar tells them that all the rules of fair play will apply.

Still, Superman doesn’t trust this being at all and he and Ali come up with a secret plan just in case. Rat’lar made it loud and clear from the beginning that he thinks all humans are a war-like race and now this is the way to prove their superiority. Their challenger is a Scrubb called Hun’ya … a huge beast that Ali sees more as cute than a threat. Rat’lar has called aliens from all over to witness the fight including a few Earthling. In a rather comical twist, Rat’lar even gets Jimmy Olsen to do the commentary while a very disappointed commentator Howard Cosell can be seen in the foreground.

The first bout is between Superman and Muhammad Ali and, seeing as the Scrubb have made it so the affects of the Red Sun don’t give Superman his powers, they’re fighting fairly. With the likes of Daily Planet editor Perry White in Superman’s corner and Bundini Brown in Ali’s corner, it feels like a real boxing match. Within a few rounds, however, it is clear that Ali is the best fighter as he makes short work out of Superman. In fact, he nearly massacres him as Superman is sent away on a stretcher.

This victory puts Muhammad Ali against Hun’ya and the action is nail-biting intense to the point that you just can’t help but think that Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams are geniuses at depicting the intensity of a boxing match in a comic book. I won’t spoil the story but Superman and Ali’s plan works and that leaves them to confront Rat’lar once and for all in order to save Earth.

Despite the fact that the comic was released so long ago, you wouldn’t know it thanks to Neal Adams’ perfect art. Sure, the cover features celebrities of the era (then President Jimmy Carter, Liberace, Johnny Carson and many others) but the art is simply timeless enough to enjoy anyway. As far as the story is concerned, both O’Neil and Adams really make the meeting of these two powerful icons work.

In the end, what we have here is a true and rare Superman comic that doesn’t fail to entertain or make you appreciate a champion who has every right to be called a legend of his profession. I can’t think of a bigger man to stand right up there with the Man of Steel. Muhammad Ali is the greatest and our real Superman so seeing him with Supes makes for a comic book well worth owning.

COMIC REVOLUTION RATING BREAKDOWN

STORY: B+
Clark Kent, Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane have a tip that one of the greatest boxers ever to step into a ring might be hanging out with the kids in Metropolis’ ghetto and find out the tip was true. However, Muhammad Ali becomes the target of an alien who threatens to destroy Earth if he and Superman don’t box one of their best champions This leads to one of the biggest moments of both men’s lives as Superman fight Muhammad Ali for the right to take on their intergalactic challenger.

ART: A
Having always been a Neal Adams fans since forever, it’s easy to see why one would become a fan of his from this comic book rarity. His rendering of Muhammad Ali is simply picture perfect at times and the sight of him boxing Superman is surreal and awesome at the same time.

OVERALL: B+
The Facsimile Edition of Superman Vs. Muhammad Ali isn’t just a novelty comic but rather a well told story of two supermen fighting incredible odds as they have always done whether its stopping an alien invasion to save humanity or going up against a top contender. Superman fans should definitely have this among their collection.

Review copy provided by DC Comics

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Sin City: The Big Fat Kill, Volume 3 – Graphic Novel Review

Reviewer: Eden Zacarias

Publisher: Dark Horse Books
Writer: Frank Miller
Artist: Frank Miller
Genre: Graphic Novel (Softcover)
MSRP: $19.99 U.S.
Release Date: Available Now

Thanks to this third edition release of Sin City, I found myself gladly revisiting the dangerous back alleys of Frank Miller’s hardboiled imagination as he takes us through stories of a city filled with booze, deadly yet beautiful women and tough guys that aren’t afraid to break a neck or two. In the third volume, The Big Fat Kill continues the story of one of the last volume’s characters as they fight to save a neighborhood from returning to the bad old days.

Dwight McCarthy was introduced to us in the second volume, A Dame To Kill For, and if you read it you know that he’s not only the kind of guy who isn’t afraid of crossing the line but he also happens to have a new face thanks to a near death experience involving a treacherous ex-girlfriend. So when we first see Dwight again in The Big Fat Kill he is keeping Kadies’ barmaid, Shellie, company.

Unfortunately for Shellie, she is visited by a very drunk ex named Jack Rafferty who didn’t take the hint that she’s not interested in him anymore. In fact, she swears she just had a fling with him since Jack is prone to getting drunk and smacking her around. Jack forces himself into her home with a group of his friends, all of them stinking of booze, and orders Shellie to call up her attractive barmaid friends for a night on the town … or else.

Well, this doesn’t sit well with Dwight who – hiding in the bathroom – shoves Jack’s head in the toilet and tells him to leave the apartment and Shellie alone for good. He does what Dwight asks and, like a bat out of hell, Jack and his friends get in their car and speed away. Sensing that Jack in his friends will end up killing somebody, he goes after him and not quite catching what Shellie yells out to him.

Jack and his friends end up in Old Town where, with a money and respect for the working ladies that watch over it, a man can have a really good time. However, Jack and his friends drive in like they own the place and try hard to recruit a lovely young girl named Becky who is on her way home after a long day’s work. Insolent, drunk and angry, Jack pulls a gun and the assassin named Miho drops from the roof to decapitate everyone in the car and ends up killing Jack as well.

Thinking that unpleasantness is behind them, Dwight joins Gail – the girl he says he loves – in looting the bodies when Dwight makes a shocking discovery about Jack. You see, the man was a hero cop and since there was a passing squad car that witnessed Jack enter Old Town it would be a matter of minutes that the police and the mob would be all over Old Town. For years the girls have kept the peace by throwing out the mafia, the pimps and the crooked cops out and now all of that will be ruined.

Dwight, on the other hand, is determined to help his friends and hatches a plan to get rid of the evidence by tossing the bodies in the tar pits. Once there, though, a group of Irish mercenaries nearly takes him out by orders of a mobster. Luckily for him, deadly little Miho shows up to lend him a hand to get Jack Rafferty’s remains back before the mercenaries take it to the police.

Meanwhile, Gail is taken prisoner by another familiar face who has a connection to both Dwight and her. A traitor in Old Town is revealed as Dwight and the girls of Old Town race to save Gail and Old Town itself. Once again, Frank Miller tells a gritty crime tale with all the things that made the first two volumes such a blast to read only this one has a lot more bloody action. The bloodshed belongs to Miho, one of the more interesting characters in Sin City and she doesn’t even open her mouth.

It was clear that Frank Miller was on a roll and Sin City: The Big Fat Kill proof of that. Bloody and exciting, the story has just about everything you can ask for in a pulp noir action tale and even more so when the characters are this good. If these are the bad old days, we would never want to leave Sin City.

COMIC REVOLUTION RATING BREAKDOWN

STORY: A
Dwight McCarthy is back and having scared off a drunken bastard who came to start trouble with the girl he’s been seeing only to realize that the fool and his friends might end up hurting somebody. When they lead him to Old Town, things get ugly fast as they realize the man they just massacred could spell the end of peace in Old Town. Along with his friends, Dwight tries to make things right but realizes that’s easier said than done.

ART: A
As I said before, we’re huge fans of Frank Miller and his art is deliciously original and perfect for a series like this one. There’s an awesome art gallery at the end with Sin City images from artists such as Mike Mignola, Arthur Adams, John Romita and Sergio Aragones just to name a few.

OVERALL: A
If another pulpy serving of Frank Miller’s brand of crime noir is what you need then look no further than The Big Fat Kill that continues the Sin City series with the ferocious momentum true to the genre. It’s not only a brilliantly bloody good time but also a great piece of fiction. Thank you, Dark Horse, for bringing back Sin City.

Review copy provided by Dark Horse Books

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Batwoman #0 – Comic Book Review

Reviewer: Ian Mintz

Publisher: DC Comics
Writers: J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman
Artists: Amy Reeder and J.H. Williams III
Genre: Comic Book
MSRP: $2.99 U.S.
Release Date: Available Now

For anyone who hasn’t picked up a Batman comic lately will be surprised by the events that lead Bruce Wayne to finally return as Batman but also announce a new crime-fighting project that will make the Batman name feared in places outside of Gotham City. As Batman begins his search for new crime-fighters, Batman #0 finds the Caped Crusader turning his attention on a new Batwoman.

The issue is broken into two segments, one has Batman looking in on Batwoman in action and the other looking into her secret identity. Tracking her movements, Batman uses his well-honed deductive skills to identify the new Batwoman’s identity and has come up with the name Kate Kane, a beautiful young redheaded socialite. Of course, Batman wants to be completely sure so he not only tails Kate but also tests her.

First, he looks into her background and finds that Kate Kane’s past is slightly similar to his own. For starters, her happy childhood was interrupted by tragedy. Having lost her mother and twin sister to terrorists, it’s easy to see why Kate be compelled to don the Batwoman costume. On top of that, she has military training from West Point, although she’s been discharged under “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” so Kate Kane is definitely not a traditional hero, which is just plain awesome in my book.

In fact, we get a peek into her personal life as a disguised Bruce Wayne follows her into her daily routine like out clubbing and looking for girls or hanging out with her cousin, Bette Kane who happens to be a former Teen Titan that went by the name Flamebird. Wayne even disguises himself as a mugger to test Kate’s fighting abilities when taken by surprise and she handles him swiftly and effectively.

Which brings us to Batman’s current stakeout of the young woman he know knows is Batwoman as the girl, clad in her costume, awaiting to strike a crime syndicate known as the Religion of Crime as they move an unknown sarcophagus. Batwoman makes her move and takes on the syndicate’s leader, a vicious baddie named Sister Shard who has a personal grudge against Batwoman. Once again, Batman is impressed with how she handles herself.

While the story is more of an introduction to Kate Kane and her alter ego, it just shows just enough to give us an idea that this Batwoman is the polar opposite of Barbara Gordon, the original Batwoman. This isn’t a bad thing, of course, because being different is definitely a good thing and J.H. Williams III certainly deserves kudos for offering us a Batwoman with a more modern twist. You also have to love the art in this issue because he not only brings his unique style to the series he also adds a nice touch with Amy Reeder handling the Kate Kane segment of this story while Williams III brings us the Batwoman segment.

Batwoman #0 is a solid introduction to this series and – without revealing too much of what we can come to expect from it – this comic does manage to catch our attention enough to want to see more of it. As short as the story might be (the rest of the comic is dedicated to a preview of Batman: Detective Comics #871), though, Kate Kane is already looking to be one interesting Batwoman.

COMIC REVOLUTION RATING BREAKDOWN

STORY: B
As Batman new crime-fighting initiative goes into effect, he looks into the secret identity of the vigilante currently assuming the role of Batwoman. Using his detective skills, the Dark Knight comes to the conclusion that a young girl with a troubled past might just be Batwoman.

ART: A+
Amy Reeder makes Kate Kane look good and you definitely cannot go wrong with J.H. Williams III’s astonishing and original artwork. Even the cover is awesome.

OVERALL: B
Batwoman has the potential of being a different and appealing series but Batwoman #0 is simply just a good introduction and not an amazing one. That said, however, the writing and the art is excellent and for those who have yet to meet the new Batwoman you will be pleased to find Kate Kane an intriguing choice to assume the Batwoman role so we’re keeping a close eye on this series.

Review copy provided by DC Comics

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Monthly Editorial – December 2010: Glance Glance Revolution

Ok, so I checked with the Betty Ford Clinic and there’s no Comic Book Addiction programs there so I’m stuck with my addiction to comics, graphic novels and just about anything to do with superheroes. This coming from a girl who, at age 7, was already imagining my bodacious wedding to Bruce Wayne. I mean it, Halloween that year I went as Batwoman (picture not included because I’ll die of embarrassment).

Still, that’s what makes me qualified to be team leader and assemble my group of like-minded comic book junkies to form this guerilla for our little revolution. We are happy to finally be a united team under the same banner as my big brother’s site, Animanga Nation, to do bring you, our wonderful readers, comic book news and reviews.

And I’d like to take some time here to thank you all for joining us. This being the last Monthly Editorial of 2010, we thank all of you for reading our reviews and thank you for all your kind words. We couldn’t have been a success without you all and I mean there are a lot of you now from all over who share our passion for comics.

To our personal hero, Staff Sergeant Edgar Ramirez, thank you for your service to our country and your wonderful words of encouragement to us as you read this from Iraq.

I would also like to name a certain actor I won’t name here because he asked us not to mention his name after I met him in a trendy Hollywood party (talk about surreal). He discovered us one day and talked my head off about his favorite comic that he is now introducing his son. I knew he liked comics but I never thought he was THAT big of a fan. I love him even more now plus now I can tell close friends that this certain actor reads our reviews.

So, like Oprah (except without the love for fried butter), I will offer a list of my favorite things for this month.

CURRENT FAVORITE SHOW ON TELEVISION/CABLE

The Walking Dead

AMC’s original show based on the brilliant comic book series of the same name, The Walking Dead is my idea of a slice of Heaven brought to us straight from somebody that knows the series well and actually loves it. As a result, the series has come together beautifully and is just one a great hour of television … period.

CURRENT FAVORITE VIDEO GAME

Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood (Xbox 306, PS3)

On top of loving comics I also love video games and this month I am lost in Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood. I loved the first two games and Brotherhood seems like an extension of Assassin’s Creed II but with a multiplayer component that sealed the deal for me. I bought it for the PS3 because of the bonus mission not found on the 306. I’ve become so good at stealth kills that I’m actually high up on various people buddy lists because of it.

CURRENT FAVORITE THEATRICAL RELEASE I SO TERRIBLY WANT TO SEE

copyright Warner Bros.

The Green Lantern

Ok, at first I wanted to see this just because I have a major crush on Ryan Reynolds but after having seen the trailier I am so looking forward to The Green Lantern for the obvious reason that it looks really cool and knowing Mr. Reynolds it will have his good sense of humor.

Well, that’s if for this month and 2010 as we move on to 2011 where we will not only bring you more news and reviews but some other new features as well. Thank you all for having been a BIG part of our success and we would also love to thank our great friends at DC Comics, Dark Horse, VIZ Media and Marvel for being a part of our family.

Long live the Revolution!

Eden Zacarias
Editor-in-Chief

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Batman Incorporated #1 – Comic Book Review

Reviewer: Eden Zacarias

Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Yanick Paquette
Genre: Comic Book
MSRP: $3.99 U.S.
Release Date: Available Now

Grant Morrison has certainly taken the Dark Knight into some interesting and different territory and, personally speaking, I’m loving his Batman stories so far. Joining the Batman books already available is Batman Incorporated #1, a new Batman series that was revealed after the events seen in Batman & Robin #16. Oh yeah, this is going to be a huge event for Batman fans and judging from this new series it’s going to be good.

For those who missed the Batman & Robin issue, Bruce Wayne made quite an announcement that send shockwaves throughout Gotham City and the world. In a press conference, Wayne announced the beginning of a global crime fighting initiative in the form of Batman Incorporated. He also revealed that he has privately funded Batman’s mission to fight crime for several years now. So begins a new chapter in the Batman saga as Batman goes international.

In the first issue, Batman finds himself breaking into the armory of Doctor Sivana who happens to have invented something far too dangerous to be in the Doctor’s hands or anyone else’s. Aided by Catwoman, the Dark Knight realizes that somebody is attempting to beat them to the punch but when the intruders are taken down by the Doctor’s mechanical rat security bots, Catwoman manages to snatch the item in question. They definitely do make good partners, it seems.

Meanwhile, in Japan, a man known as Mister Unknown wakes up with his hands melted off. Standing before him is a villain dressed in a skeleton costume who calls himself Lord Death Man. This villain and his henchmen have marked all Japanese crime fighters for death and he plans to start with the masked crusader known as Mister Unknown. Entering the secret lair – in the basement of an anime store – a young man witnesses Mister Unknown’s demise and escapes.

Landing in Japan, Bruce Wayne – accompanied by Selina – makes it clear to her that he is here to train a Japanese Batman and he already has a candidate in mind … Mister Unknown. Having figured out this secret identity, Batman and Catwoman go to the anime store and find the body of the masked man he had come to recruit as well as a few henchmen ready to fight them.

Batman manages to make one of the henchmen talk and he tells them that he works for Lord Death Man and tells him his boss’ plan. In the meantime, the young man that escaped turns out to be Jiro Osamu, who isn’t exactly a lightweight. In fact, he has a secret identity but Batman isn’t the only one who knows it. Lord Death Man has found his apartment and has taken Jiro’s girlfriend hostage. Unfortunately, Jiro does something unexpected that puts his girl’s life in danger. The good news is that Batman and the Catwoman arrive in time as well.

The issue has a cliffhanger ending but is presented in a rather cheesy manner that brings to mind the campy 1960s Batman television series whenever the story reached a cliffhanger. Here’s hoping this is the only issue that we get to see this. Other than that, Grant Morrison never ceases to amaze me as far as his writing is concerned and here he adds enough witty repartee and comedic moments that make Catwoman all the more likeable. Add some good action and drama and you have yourself a great story. Then add the artwork of Yanick Paquette and you have yourself a stylistically different and amazing Batman series.

Batman Incorporated #1 is off to a great start so far and you can’t deny how much you’ll enjoy the pairing of Batman and Catwoman in a setting far from their normal stomping grounds. Wonderfully written and even more beautifully drawn, the series is definitely high on our Highly Recommended list. We just can’t wait to see how this story and series plays out in future issues.

COMIC REVOLUTION RATING BREAKDOWN

STORY: A-
Having taken the next bold step in crime fighting, Batman heads to Japan to train a Japanese Batman. Along for the ride is Catwoman who helped Batman break into Doctor Sivana armory then joins him in the land of the rising sun when they make a ghastly discovery. A villain calling himself Lord Death Man is killing all crime fighters in Japan and has targeted the man that Batman wants to recruit.

ART: A+
Absolutely, without a doubt, one of the best comic book artists to come along, Yanick Paquette makes the Dark Knight and Catwoman look downright sexy. On top of that, though, his visuals are definitely something to write home about and the cover is downright impressive.

OVERALL: A-
Grant Morrison and Yankick Paquette have created yet another Batman book that we will not only look forward to but really come to love if the rest of the series is as attention-grabbing and as fun to read as Batman Incorporated #1. Consider us big fans already although the campy feel of the ending should be left out for future issues.

Review copy provided by DC Comics

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