The Return of the Crusader

Batman #708
Written by David Hine
Art by Guillem March

 

This is the first part of the Judgement on Gotham crossover that was lead up to from the now cancelled Azrael series. You don’t have to read the Azrael book to get this but it certainly helps. It was great to see the Crusader back as he was definitely the best villain to come out of that book. March’s Batman is drawn differently here, but not in a bad way. I guess Devil’s Square has replaced the East End as Gotham’s “bad neighborhood” now. I hope we get to see the East End again eventually as it was Catwoman’s stomping grounds for so long. No idea what is going on with Dick after being stabbed with the sword but it’s an interesting mystery and this was a good start to the crossover.

Azrael 17 and 18

Azrael (Volume 2) #17
Written by David Hine
Art by Cliff Richards

Azraek travels to Afghanistan to defeat a metahuman called Fireball who is also called Azrael. Interesting stuff. I wonder if Batman would still be talking to Azrael if he knew he was offing people like this.

Azrael (Volume 2) #18
Written by David Hine
Art by Cliff Richards

This series comes to a close with Azrael officially losing his mind and becoming incredibly violent under Ra’s Al Ghul’s orders. I loved this book after Hine took over it really took off, but I can’t say I ever grew to like the character of Michael Lane…but I do not know if we were supposed to.

Azrael 15 and 16

Azrael (Volume 2) #15
Written by David Hine
Art by Cliff Richards

 

This was a good issue as Batman investigates Azrael’s suicide and Ra’s Al Ghul expects him to rise on the third day. I have no idea where this is going but I am loving the ride and the creepiness of it all.

Azrael (Volume 2) #16
Written by David Hine
Art by Cliff Richards

Azrael rejects Bruce’s offer to join Batman Incorporated but Bruce still accepts him as an ally after seeing a vision of him either becoming a sinner or saint – I think Bruce wants to keep him around so he can lead him on the path to good. We shall see.

An Offer To Azrael

Azrael (Volume 2) #14
Written by David Hine
Art by Cliff Richards

 

Um holy shit has Michael Lane gone off the deep end?? I mean the character has always been anything but sane but wow does he lose it here – ending in well let’s just say I highly doubt this is a permanent state. I mean he has to be around for this series after all right? Good issue. I just am finding the main character less and less likeable as time goes on.

Beautiful And Terrifying

Azrael (Volume 2) #13
Written by David Hine
Art by Guillem March

 

Azrael finally defeats the Crusader in a great way – by showing the villain he has been wrong all along. This was a great issue – sure it is all DaVinci Code stuff and one half expects the priest to be like come on Azrael didn’t you read or see the DaVinci Code – this shouldn’t be all that shocking – but it is the DC Universe’s DaVinci Code which makes it more exciting. March’s art is beautiful yet terrifying – I can’t believe they actually showed the man being skinned alive and the pope as the Devil.

The Fate Of St. Bartholomew

Azrael (Volume 2) #12
Written by David Hine
Art by Guillem March

 

Things are getting intsense here as a new book of revelation is revealed that shows what will come of the battle between Azrael and the Crusader. I like the idea of the Catholic Church hiring metahumans to train them to be like the Crusader. Cool stuff and very Davinci Code except this is the DC Universe so of course metas are involved. I really hope Griever doesn’t suffer the fate of St. Bartholomew. That would be quite nasty.

The Shroud’s Significance

Azrael (Volume 2) #11
Written by David Hine
Art by Guillem March

 

Wow this is heavy stuff we are dealing with in this issue. DC took a big risk by publishing it, and I am glad they did it was a fantastic issue but even insinuating that Christ was not ressurected is dangerous to do in a world filled with fundamentalist crazy Christians. I wonder if the priest is lying though and there is some other significance to the shroud? Anyways, the Crusader is still a terrifying villain and it is sickening that he is recreating real life martyred saints. The idea that people did this to each other at all is really awful cause these are some gruesome deaths but damn this is a good book and more people should be checking it out!

Hine = Perfect Writer For This Book

Azrael (Volume 2) #10
Written by David Hine
Art by Guillem March

 

Wow! David Hine certainly knows how to begin his run on the book! Honestly Hine is the perfect writer for a series like Azrael and he shows it with his debut issue here. Those who know a certain secret within the Order of Purity are being murdered by a man called The Crusader in the same way as famous Martyred saints. These are brutal murders not for the squemish. It is sick to think that people actually did this to each other. Azrael is sent to stop the Crusader. I could see this guy becoming Azrael’s arch-enemy. I wonder what this secret is? It has to have something to do with the church or Jesus right? I loved this issue!

Azrael 8 and 9

Azrael (Volume 2) #8
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Ramon Bachs

 

Azrael succumbs to the personified Seven Deadly Sins in this issue. I assume these guys were from his mini I did not read because they act like they have met Michael before here and I don’t remember them at all. I like the idea that the eighth deadly sin is Faith but I feel like not much happened in this issue. Bachs’s art is also kind of annoying me I don’t know why I just feel like he draws Azrael too small.

Azrael (Volume 2) #9
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Ramon Bachs

This was a rather quick issue and perhaps it was rushed. I like the exploration of faith as a sin and how religion has cause so much evil in the world.  That was good stuff I just wish Nicieza had explored it more. Azrael is almost convinced to kill the pope by this but is stopped by the White Ghost. Interesting stuff but I feel like a lot more could have been done with it.

Madness

Azrael (Volume 2) #7
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Ramon Bachs

 

I am proud to say that I guessed that Michael’s psychiatrist was working for the order and I was correct apparently. This was another good issue of this underrated series. I never expected to like this book as much as I have. The creative team is changing but Hine is the perfect replacement for Nicieza, I can’t wait to see what he does with all this. You can see Michael is definitely going crazy from the suit and killing left and right. Will he succumb to the madness? We will see I guess.

The Real Enemy

Azrael (Volume 2) #6
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Ramon Bachs

 

This was a quick read. Azrael reads the Book of Purity – which is a history of the Azraels of the past. So basically there were two Azraels if I am not mistaken, one for the order of St. Dumas and one for the Order of Purity? Michael comes to the conclusion that the true enemy of Azrael is the order of Purity – hmmm – interesting stuff although I wish more happened in this issue.

Azrael Meets Ragman

Azrael (Volume 2) #5
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Ramon Baches

 

The conflict between Palestinians and Isreali’s is a pretty weighty issue for a comic but Nicieza pulls it off qutie well in this fantastic issue. This book has blown my mind. I never expected it to be this good. I am surprised I did not think of an Azrael-Ragman team-up before. It seems so obvious since they are both mystical heroes, based in religion, that operate out of Gotham. The both even are powered by the suits they wear which contains souls. Good stuff.

Sadness

Azrael (Volume 2) #4
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Ramon Bachs

The truth about the murder of Azrael’s brother is sorta revealed in this issue – it was Jen. Although she claims the Devil made her do it and then she kills herself in a particularly horrifying scene. This issue could have been better if it was a different artist. Bachs just can’t really pull off the sadness needed for the scene of the suicide. That being said, it was still sad. And this was a great issue of a series I never thought that I would like so much. I am very intrigued about this “Devil” character.

Hate Crimes

Azrael (Volume 2) #3
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Ramon Bachs

This issue was probably the weakest so far, but in no way was it bad. We delve into Michael Lane’s military past as he begins to deal with someone who is murdering Muslims, a man who he was in Iraq with. In the end, it looks like Azrael murders the hate-filled bastard or maybe we are just lead to believe that? Is this a symptom of the Suit of Sorrow or simply revenge for the murders on Michael’s part? Either way this was an issue that dealt with hate crimes in a very powerful way so I give it props. I think the art could use some work though, Bachs can do better.

A Brilliant And Heroic Plan

Azrael (Volume 2) #2
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Ramon Bachs

I was happy to find the debut issue of this series to be engaging even thought I was unfamiliar with the new Azrael before this. I am also happy to report that this issue does nothing to change my opinion. This is a very interesting story and character. We are getting snippets of Michael’s past while at the same time we are seeing how this character thinks through his actions. His plan on saving the two kidnapped people in this issue was brilliant, and took not only faith that the White Ghost would do the right thing, but it also showed that the new Azrael is not quick to make judgments based on race or gender. He is a hero. Not to mention he has two really cool swords!

The New Azrael Has A Great First Issue

Azrael (Volume 2) #1
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Ramon Bachs

This is two books in a row that I didn’t expect to enjoy but instead actually thuroughly enjoyed. I did not read this new Azrael’s mini nor the annuals leading up to the (heck I didn’t even read Jean Paul Valley’s series) start of this series but I still found that I could follow this debut issue and enjoy it. I already can tell you that I like the new Azrael – and the idea that in six months the character is going to be dead or possibly dead makes it all the more interesting. I like the fact that there is a person murdering those who were silent about sexual abuse by priests. I think that is some interesting territory to cover. It is dark but it fits the tone of the book. Bach’s art is different from his work on Red Robin but it fits the tone of this book. Good stuff for a debut issue. I hope this series is a sucess and it will be if it continues with this quality.

Batman 669 – 680

Batman #669
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by J.H. Williams III

Ya maybe because it has been a while since I read the start of this story…..but I sooo confused by this. What happened? It seemed like pages were missing or something? So Mayhew was behind this? He is being paid by the Black Glove? So confused….maybe I have to go back and re-read the last two issues.

Batman #670
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

This is the prelude to the Ressurection of Ra’s Al Ghul Bat-crossover and I have to say I liked it more then some of the other issues of this crossover. I was a bit confused by Ra’s saying Damian was grown in a tank? Did I miss something there? As for the storyline itself, I really could care less about it. But this was still a good issue.

Batman #671
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

Also, a little bit confused by this issue. Was that really Ra’s father? It really didn’t seem like much happened in this issue. Very quick read….really only okay for a comic, a big failure for a comic written by Morrison.

Batman #672
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

Wow…Morrison’s run is very confusing, but you know with Morrison it will all make sense in the end and when you reread things you will catch things you did not catch before. I didn’t notice the Zur-En-Arr stuff the first time I read this. As for what Bat-Mite is doing here, I do not know. But I am intrigued by everything, even though I am confused.

Batman #673
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

Batman is having heart attack this issue, and flashes back to some interesting moments in his life where he has hallucinated. I like the flashback to the Robin Dies at Dawn storyline and it’s paralells with the Thogal ritual. I even liked the Joe Chill stuff, even if I was a little against the idea of bringing that character back. Tony Daniel is a fantastic artist and his work is perfectly suited for Morrison. I am not sure why some bloggers seem to not like him…to each his own I guess.

Batman #674
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

Now things are getting really good! We learn the truth behind the three Cop-Batman’s that have been plaguing him. Apparently, they were created by Dr. Simon Hurt to take Batman’s place in case he died. But it looks like Hurt was a psycho who even went to the lengths of having one of the cop’s familes murdered to do the same psychological damage to the cop as Bruce experienced as a boy. Interesting stuff, I really think the overall theme of Morrison’s run is Bruce’s psychology, and the state of his mind. This is all coming together rather nicely. As for Bat-Mite, he seems to represent the readers, as he seems to know things only the readers of this book would know and is trying to clue Batman in. That would fit with the whole characters being aware they are comic characters thing that Morrison has been dealing with since his run on Animal Man.

Batman #675
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Ryan Benjamin

Well, this is the prelude to R.I.P. The storyline that is supposed to change Batman’s world forever. Benjamin’s art is pretty bad. I did not like it at all…the facial expressions just seemed off. As for Jezebel finding out that Bruce and Batman are one and the same, I think Bruce could have easily said that he wasn’t Batman, but it looks like he does trust her for some reason.

Batman #676
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

This is the first part of R.I.P and I must say that I really enjoyed it…especially on the second read. Yes, it is no Hush, this isn’t some stupid popcorn summer movie flick type comic, this is intelligent stuff. You have to read it multiple times to catch things. I am not sure if the Black Glove is the same as the club of villains or if the Black Glove is an actual person behind the scenes. The club of villains are interesting and I look forward to learning more about them. I am getting suspicious of Jezebel…could she be the Black Glove? The Joker’s first appearence in this story was particularly frightening….the perfect way for Batman’s arch nemesis to make his entrance.

Batman #677
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

If this stuff with Thomas Wayne is true, then this WILL fundamentally change Batman as a character forever. I hope it is not. That is too much of a messing with the mythos. I hope this was created by the Black Glove to throw Batman off, to make him go crazy. I still am suspicious about Jezebel, I think she is involved with the Black Glove somehow. This is the most original Batman story I think I have ever read.

Batman #678
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

I can’t help but think of that old Batman: The Animated Series episode where Batman forgets he is Batman and ends up on the streets while reading this issue as essentially the same thing has happened, except Bruce has also gone bat-shit crazy! He’s running around in hand-stitched costume saying he is the Batman of Zur-En-Ahhr! I have to say, I have no idea where this story is going, but I am loving it!

Batman #679
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

The club of villains have taken over Arkham, and everything is going to hell in a handbasket. The Batman of Zur-En-Ahhr is one crazy bastard, but Bruce is sitll in there I know it. There was certainly a lot of red and black symbolism in this issue, although I probably would not have noticed if I hadn’t read about it in annotations.

Batman #680
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Tony Daniel

I was correctamundo! It looks like Jezebel Jet is the Black Glove or is at least working with him/her. This was one INTENSE issue as I really got the feeling I was reading Bruce’s final days. It is both creepy and amazing. I can’t wait to see how this arc ends.