Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Doom Patrol" #1 / "Detective Comics" #940 / "Action Comics" #963

"Doom Patrol" #1: What's going on? What is this about? Meat? Gyros? But it doesn't matter, and trying to make sense of it is probably useless. Read it, it's simply brilliant. 

9/10

"Detective Comics" #940: The most dramatic and defining scene in the whole run yet here is, strangely, only alluded to. Furthermore, one cannot help but feel that Detective Comics already missed the point to conclude this story arc properly.

6/10

"Action Comics" #963: Finally the series tackles the "Two Clark Kent" issue. It's been lingering a while, you know. Luckily, it looks like they're doing it in quite a spectacular way. Good stuff.

7/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Deadpool" #17 / "Action Comics" #962 / "Detective Comics" #939

"Deadpool" #17: To sell this as a "Civil War II" tie-in is simply ridiculous, as it has simply no connection whatsoever to Marvel's big summer event (a fact even admitted by Duggan in the comic's intro page). Apart from that? Nothing to report, just the same old Deadpool shtick. This series needs some fresh new ideas, and the Mercs for Money should stick to their own series.

5/10

"Action Comics" #962: The Doomsday storyline is over (for now), and the series closes it in solid but unspectacular fashion. Kudos to Jurgens though for gradually developing and shaping the comic's characters.

7/10

"Detective Comics" #939: Admittedly, the series started out quite slow, but by now has come full circle in terms of drama, dynamic and great action set pieces. Can't wait for the conclusion.

 8/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Detective Comics" #938 / "Superman" #4 / "The Punisher" #4

"Detective Comics" #938: We see more and more classic Batman themes and moves in "Detective Comics" recently, and it is all the better for it. The dynamic between Batman and his team has also notably improved, making this a solid read throughout. 

7/10

"Superman" #4: The series seems to have finally found its rhythm and footing, while Jon's significance to it grows with every issue.

7/10

"The Punisher" #4: It's a pure joy how pissed off and angry everyone here just is. Not as violent as you might have hoped for, but still really, really good.

8/10

Quickfire Combo-Reviews: "Civil War II" #2 / "Nightwing" #1 / "Action Comics" #937

"Civil War II" #2: The series is now in full swing, as the battle lines are drawn with no way back for either side. Tony Stark is conceived particularly well here, as both emotion and the urge to control his environment rage inside him.

8/10

"Nightwing" #1: It picks up where it left off in the "New 52", but still manages to give newcomers a thorough introduction to the character and what defines him. Funny with a compelling story.

8/10

"Detective Comics" #937: The mystery of "The Colony" unravels here, as Tynion IV builds up what could be a great showdown in the following issues. It also features some really interesting facts about Batman's utility belt. 

8/10

Review: "Detective Comics" #936

Just when I had almost given up Detective Comics, writer James Tynion IV finally remembers that he's actually one of the best Batman writers in recent time (go ahead and read the Batman/TMNT crossover). 

In this issue, he finally taps a bit deeper into some of the main characters' minds and motivations, while streamlining its main story transforms the comic into a highly entertaining, surprising and gripping affair. Alvaro Martinez' art and Brad Anderson's colors make for an impressively dark and menacing Gotham, thus completing the comic's positive overall impression.

8/10

Further Links:

Detective Comics #934

Detective Comics #935 

Keepin' It 360: "Detective Comics" #935

Problems persist here, as the "superhero academy" story arc is a directionless mess, including artificial and shallow dialogues and a romance that really no one needs. The comic redeems itself a bit once writer Tynion IV addresses the story surrounding Azrael and the mysterious attackers; but after all it remains a pretty underwhelming experience altogether.

4/10

Further Links:

Detective Comics #934

Review: "Detective Comics" #934

Batman and Batwoman set out to train a bunch of rookies for the fight against a mysterious threat as Detective Comics #934 starts out with a blast into the "Rebirth" era, posing as a blueprint for how the series might look in the future.

As you'd expect from Detective Comics, it's lighter in tone and theme as compared to the main Batman series, with the Caped Crusader not quite being as sharp and relentless as you'd probably hope for. Admittedly, some dialogues are close to being kitsch, with scenes a bit too much over the top at times, but writer James Tynion IV knows how to keep the action exciting throughout the whole comic. And artist Eddy Barrows, inker Eber Ferreira and colorist Adriano Lucas create a Gotham that impresses with its dark, fearful and threatening atmosphere, even though they are somewhat out of their comfort zone when the pace and action pick up, leaving us with a few too many confusing panels.

But the comic's most important aspect is the large cast on offer here, showcasing the extended Batman family that will be at the center of Detective Comics. From more prominent characters like Azrael, Clayface (whose scene is an absolute success) Red Robin and Batwoman to lesser known heroes such as The Spoiler and Cassandra, it's an exciting potpourri of what DC has to offer in the future. 

PS: See if you can find the "Punisher" reference.

8/10

Further links:

Batman: Rebirth #1

Keepin' It 360: "Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" #6

Is this really over!? Yes, "for now" it is. The Batman/TMNT was a success throughout, as writer James Tynion IV creates a tireless dynamic between the protagonists that's boosted by Freddie E. Williams' sketchy and washed-out art. This issue in particular though is too rushed and generic at times, wishing for a more epic finale to one of 2016's best comics.

7/10

Further links:

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5
Batman #52
Detective Comics #52
DKIII: The Master Race #4

Review: "Batman" #52

Who would have thought that seeing Bruce Wayne as Batman chasing an eccentric criminal through Gotham could be so refreshing? But after a year of Commissioner Gordon as the Caped Crusader and Scott Snyder's final issue last month, which was more of a love letter to Batman and his fans than a classic Batman story, this just feels so good. Writer James Tynion IV has already proven that he can pen some excellent Batman stories in the past, and this one is no exception.

Initially, the frequent flashbacks to the time right after the murder of Bruce's parents up until his return to Gotham seem like the same old story told all over again, but Tynion focuses on the parts of the story that are less well documented, offering an intriguing (even though sometimes a bit too sentimental) take on Bruce's trauma. He also takes the opportunity to introduce Crypsis, a brand-new Batman villain. What stands out most about this small-time thief with the ability of short-range teleportation is the surrealism and eeriness artist Riley Rossmo composes him with.

In general, Rossmo manages to bestow everything in Gotham, from Batman himself to its architecture, with an aura of unrest and uneasiness. The new Batsuit and the comeback of the Batmobile continue to impress, while Rossmo adds some additional grit and drama to their presentation. Hopefully Tynion will continue his great take on the Dark Knight with his run at the "Detective Comics" series after the DC rebirth.


9/10

Further links:

DKIII: The Master Race #4

Batman #51