Mary Louise Eklund

Category: Batman Vol. 2

Comic Comment – Returning to My Bat Roots

Maybe it’s easiest to explain my love of comics by telling you my first word was “Batman.” No really it was, just as my parents. Sure I grew out of DC and into Marvel but still the Bats has held a soft place in my heart. I didn’t jump on the New 52 bandwagon when DC did their whole redo. I just wasn’t certain what line I wanted of the Bats there were choices and I hadn’t a clue. Then on Free Comic Book Day 2011 I got a Batman. I liked it, I really liked it though I was learning the extended Bat family (the Robins have matured dead ones haven’t stayed dead etc.) So I jumped in mid arc. A big multi-title arc “Death Of The Family” Just like in the AvX Interruptus I didn’t chase the story about – I just took what crossed the ONE title I got. Which was Batman issues 13 – 17. Let me tell you I got a good ‘un.

The ever present US legal disclaimer: All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique. No more than three pages total from any one issue is reproduced.

Now credit to the creators: Written by Scott Snyder, Adam Glass, Kyle Higgins, John Layman, Scott Lobdell, Ann Nocenti, Gail Simone, Peter J. Tomasi, and James Tynion IV Issue 13 – Scott Snyder, Writer Issue 14-16, Illustrated by Greg Capullo, Eddy Barrows, Ed Benes, Brett Booth, Andy Clarke, Fernando Dagnion, Jason Fabok, Patrick Gleason, Jock, Timothy Green, Rafa Sadoval, Issue 13 – Greg Capullo, Penciler Issue 14 -16 – Jonathan Glapion, Inker Issue 14-16 – FCO Plascencia, Colorist Issue 14-16 – Richard Starkings & Comiccraft’s Jimmy Betancourt, Letterer Issue 14-16 – Greg Capullo & FCO Plascencia, Main & Variant covers Issue 13, 15, Greg Capullo & FCO Plascencia, Cover #14, 16 & 17, Trevor McCarthy, Variant Cover Issue 14, Alex Garner, Variant Cover Issue 16, Tony Daniel, Matt Banning & Tomeu Morey, Variant Issue 17- Katie Kubert, Asst. Editor- Mike Marts, Editor – Batman, created by Bob Kane.

At the end of each issue is a tie-in story featuring the Joker making plans for the finale. Issue 13 Story Knock, Knock Brought to you by Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, FCO Plascencia, Richard Starkings and Comic Craft’s Jimmy Betancourt, Katie Kubert, Mike Marts, Cover by Capullo and Plascencia, Varient cover by Aaron Kuder and Nathan Fairbairn, Batman created by Bob Kane. Issue 14 Men of Worship Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV, Writers, Jock, Artwork, Dave Baron, Colors, Sal Cipriano, LEtters, Katie Kubert, Assistant Editor, Mike Marts, Editor. Issue 15 Red Light, Green Light Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV, Writers – Jock, Artwork – Dave Baron, Colors – Taylor Esposito, Letters – Katie Kubert, Assistant Editor – Mike Marts, Editor. Issue 16 Judgement Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV, Writers – Jock , Artwork – David Baron, Colors – Taylor Esposito, Letters – Kate Kubers, Assistant Editor – Mike Marts, Editor.

WHEW That’s some credits on who did what where!

I jumped in on the big return of Joker story-line. He looks different and through some research I learned why he looked different – he had his face cut off and now wears it as a mask. As a result he is more gruesome than ever adding to the creep factor in his “jokes.” The main story is between Joker and Batman – Joker starts leading Batman back to the places of their big battles. Except this time the Joker has the upper hand, finally in order to lure the Bats to the final finally he kidnaps a member of the Bat family. The final battle is at the Arkham Asylum where Joker was imprisoned after each caper.

I will say this is a fresh new take on the oft repeated battle between Bats and Joker. It is well written and pulls many emotional strings not just of Batman but the readers too along the way. There isn’t shying away from a large body count here of guilty as well as innocents making the stakes grow higher with each issue. In the end I felt Batman proved to be who we know him to be but instead we learned something very important about the Joker – his weakness. If DC keeps up with the power and tight writing of this story they have got fodder for many story lines to come. The Bat family has been deeply changed by the results, if not Batman himself. The Joker has shown he knows more than he lets on but his ultimate weakness kept him from using it. So I was left wanting to know – how will the Bat family be after such horrid experiences? will the Joker have the guts to use his knowledge when he returns from wounds? Because he’s gotta come back, right? I mean that’s what he DOES right?

There were more aspects to the story than the interactions between the main guys. Joker’s interactions with the various members of the Bat family appeared in their comics. The bonus story at the end of each Bat comic showed the Joker recruiting various villains to help him complete the final showdown in the asylum. It makes for an excellent two page splash piece in Issue 16 complete with Faux DC superheroes. I like the insight to each villain. I was reminded that a good villain is a hero in his own head – sure they see what they are doing as right and have to be coerced into going along with the Joker’s plan. Admittedly some needed more than others. It is interesting to see a story were both are villains. Here it leads you to wondering just what is Joker’s grand plan? When we see it, it’s chilling but follows a certain twisted logic. That’s good writing. That’s staying true to what makes the twisted mind of the Joker the best comic book villain ever. Cudos to the writers!

Now to the art – It was wonderful. I can say it supported the story didn’t make me wince or gawk, instead I saw the movie in my head. Isn’t that what comic books are supposed to do? Here the art and the story worked perfectly together. There were small touches I like – the flies increasing around Joker’s rotting skin mask. The slight touches of how Alfred puts his arms around the Robins when they are in danger. Images like that add to the story, increase the depth of the characters and make the comic experience complete.

To be my arc venturing back into the DC and Batman world I have to say this hit a home run for me. I only hope it can keep up these high standards.

Okay you know what comes next… scans from the comics

I’m gonna be spoilery

So if yo don’t want to be SPOILED

STOP

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June 5, 2013
Comic Comments – Pull List Update

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a post updating on my pull list status. Some comics have fallen by the wayside and others have come on the list. Let’s look at what I am reading and why.

If you’ve been to Cons you’ll laugh and nod while reading.

The Adventures of Comic Con Girl had me laughing and nodding. I’ve been to Cons and I know of what they are parodying. This is a limited run and fun to laugh at ourselves. I look forward to her adventures and know if this was on-going it’d drop but for the short limited it’s worth the read.

This issue Logan IS the bomb.

Actually I’ll have to say it wasn’t Logan being a bomb that brought me back. What brought me back into this title was the previews of this issue. I loved how the team reacted and worked together after the Logan bomb went off. How they supported him and worked with each other to figure it out. I like that kind of X-Men story it’s too much inter fighting and not enough teamwork stories lately. So I went back to issue 50 just before Northstar’s wedding issue. Oh Logan blew at the wedding reception luckily he’d left the tent to walk off his ‘too many canapes’ that were upsetting his stomach.

You wouldn’t know it today since I’m heavily Marvel and Independents but DC and I go way back. So far back that my first word was Batman, not Mom, not Dad, but Batman. However I burned on DC decades ago. I’d tried about every five years or so to make a foray into their titles to be disappointed. However the free Earth One I got with the preview of the Batman story line hooked me. That was a title I liked with just Batman. I put my old buddy back on the list in hopes we can renew our friendship. Would be could to welcome him back with Wolverine and Bigby as a favored hero.

I liked Top Cow back in the day. Then with the buzz surrounding this and the kickstarter project I just gotta see the results. So this went on the pull list. I’ll let you know what I think.

I’m staying with this title out of nostalgia. I loved Dark Shadows back in the early 70s and this has kept the vibe. Unlike the Depp/Burton butchering of it, this held true to what I adored. So as long as they keep up with the original I’ll keep this on my pull list.

Deadpool‘s own title the best of the Merc with a Mouth. I enjoy him as the antidote for the overly serious superhero/villain stories. He’s staying on the pull list for the fun that he is.

Fables is a staple of any pull list I ever create. when starting a pull list first on the list is Wolverine and second is Fables. Fables for consistence excellence in writing and art. I’ve never been let down by them in the years I’ve been reading.

The latest and currently on-going spin off from Fables. Just like the main titles have never let me down – neither have the spin-off titles. So I’m on board.

I have a handful of favorite characters in Marvel beyond Wolverine. One of the is Nick Fury. When this started set in the 60s with great cover art I was interested and haven’t been disappointed. I’ve heard the tale of Fury in WWII many times but Fury in the 60s-80s not so much and enjoy this take on him.

Another favorite Marvel man of mine is Gambit. He’s had his own title many times – this is his 5th. I wouldn’t miss it. I’m waiting for the first arc to complete before reading but I have flipped through. I’m anxious to see what he’s like here as teacher by day – superhero thief by night.

I’m a fan of the Ghosbusters movies. The first DVD I ever bought was the first movie. So I had to try this comic, they had me at John Beluishi as Jake Blues was the guardian angel of Ackroyd’s Dr. Raymond Stanz sold me on the series.

With the pleathra of paranormal “reality” shows and my penchant for loving those types of stories I had to try out this title. I’ve not been disappointed and it still sits on my pull-list in a well deserved spot.

When Marvel Zombies were introduced I loved them as a novelty gag. I didn’t nor am I interested in a series based on them. BUT a Halloween special SURE! Zombies, Marvel, and Halloween pass the candy corn I’ve got reading to do. I’ll also be getting the Holidays special just like last year. Hopefully I’ll be more timely in reviewing it.

Speaking of zombies – this centers around zombies in Wisconsin. I couldn’t resist. I’ve not read waiting on complete first arc before I dive in. I know it’s been highly praised and is in multiple reprints to meet demand.

I read great reviews of this and jumped in at issue 6 which was sold as a good jumping on point. I liked it so much I went back and bought issues 1-5. I’m a fan of the odd and strange. I’ve been intrigued by UFO tales since there was a bulletin board outside my 3rd grade class about them back in 1974. This story is good at weaving in all the classic tales, theories, incidents, and such into the telling. I am enjoying it very much.

Okay another type of story I enjoy the heist/scam story. Think Oceans 12, The Heist, The Sting, etc. Scam struck me as being in that vein. I put on the list and was surprised when I got issue 1 that it’s more than a double sized issue. I’ll stay on to see where it goes. So far so good.

Okay I jumped on this for two reasons 1) awesome reviews 10 out of 10 rating this I gotta see and 2) I’ve had to make similar decision (not so extreme) working in the rad waste industry as a consultant. I’ll be honest I’ve not read them yet again waiting for a full arc so I can judge. But if it lives up to a portion of what the reviewers claim – it’s awesome.

I got this to see where the over all Marvel universe goes post AvX interruptus. I hop on and off the New Avengers boat as the title and arcs grab me. I’m not sure how long I’ll stay on this Uncanny Avengers title but for now I’m willing to stay for at least the first arc.

I’m on and off the X-Force boat like I’ve been the Avenger boat. Anytime Cable isn’t there I’ll consider it. I don’t like Cable and avoid him unless Deadpool is there then I consider it REAL HARD. So here we have Wolverine and Deadpool my most favorite character and one of my other favorite Marvel men. So I’m on until this title ends at issue 35, which is 4 more issues.

Okay I’ll admit it I hopped on this title after falling for the TV show it inspired. Yes they are two different stories with the same characters and kinda the same plot but not exactly. Both are excellent both get my time, neither am I dropping. Good writing will always keep me enthralled.

Remember back at Fables I said whenever I start a pull list… well this is the first title on it. My favorite character by far in the comics is James “Logan” Howlett. This title at times rocks and other times sucks (like the most recently completed arc sucked.) At times it’ll be so bad I’ll drop comics all together for years (AHEM Evolution arc I’m looking RIGHT AT YOU) but then something awesome will come and I’ll be back. So this time I put on my barn boots and waded through the last arc of Sabertooth Reborn and hoped for better. Isn’t that always how it is with the one you love they’ll drive you crazy.

This would be number 3 on my pull list. I love this title and hope, hope that they assign strong artists to it. I adore the growth of character it took to make Wolverine headmaster of his own school. Five years ago we’d thought it’d been Scott but no it’s Logan who inherits Xavier’s dream and carries on. It makes perfect sense in many ways. I love watching it be carried out. I hope this title is around for a VERY long time and sits there on any pull list I make with Wolverine and Fables.

The final title doesn’t have a preview cover released yet – Wolverine Max. It’s a Wolverine title so yeah it’s on my list. It’s another retelling of the Wolverine tale so I might like it if it’s limited like Wolverine Noir was or I might get bored and dump it. Been there done that don’t need another universe to follow… like recent First X-Men title for me. Only time will tell. Check in to my next pull list post and see if it stayed or read the Comic Comments I do and see what I think.

Until next time!

October 16, 2012
Comic Comments – Batman Earth One Special Preview Edition

This was a freebie I got with my monthly shipment. It contains teasers from Batman Earth One, and Batman Vol.2 story arc entitled Court of Owls which was told in issues 1-6.

As I said I’ve not been into DC for years. I tried Wonder Woman about 4 years ago but didn’t like it. Before that it’d been oh… since 1976 that I’d bought a regular DC title (excluding their other imprints like Vertigo). Still of their lead characters Batman is my favorite. His being my first word and all. So when this became available for free I thought – sure why not. I mean it’s FREE. Since it is the stuff after the jump isn’t spoilery since there’s not a full story to spoil in a teaser.

Okay here’s the credits – I’ve got. The full credits for Batman Earth One weren’t listed but Geoff Johns was the writer and Gary Frank was the artist. Batman Volume 2 Court of Owls full credits were listed as follows: Scott Snyder, Writer; Greg Capullo, Penciller & Cover; Jonathan Glapion, Inker; FCO Plascencia, Colors; Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt, Letters; Katie Kubert, Assistant Editor; Janell Asselin, Associate Editor, Mike Marts, Editor; and Bob Kane, Creator of Batman.

All images are the property of their owners I reproduce them here under the Fair Use Doctrine of the copyright law for commentary and critique. No more than three pages total from any one issue is reproduced.
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August 23, 2012