Selina, It’s Me

Batman: Streets of Gotham #17
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Dustin Nguyen
Co-Feature by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Szymon Kudranski

 

The main story continues the House of Hush story arc….which I assumed would feature the fall of Hush before Bruce’s return but I guess not as Bruce reveals himself to Selina as Batman in a great scene at the beginning of this issue. The “Selina, it’s me” moment was just awesome for fans of their relationship and Dini writes their relationship very well. The Bed Bug is another great Gotham villain creation by Dini. How does he keep doing this?! The revelations about The Wayne, Kane, and Elliot families also continue to be interesting. The Ragman backup starts off really well as the art really suits the mood and darkness of Gotham City – especially the underbelly a character like Ragman should explore. I love the theme of Gentrification. Gotham really reminds me of Chicago sometimes. It must be why they set the movies here.

Going Global

Red Robin #16
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Marcus To

 

Nicieza is such a fantastic writer – he really understands the character of Tim Drake and his history. I loved how Brentwood Academy is mentioned in this issue – Tim’s school from the Dixon era of his book. So many writers come on to book and dismiss anything that came before but not Nicieza. I can’t wait till next issue where we are promised Cassandra Cain! And I wonder where Tim’s new home will be – he says Gotham will still be his base but  he is going global? hmm. How cool would it be if Red Robin became the protector of Vanity – Aztek’s city.

Protecting Secrets

Red Robin #15
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Marcus To

 

Tim shows his genius in this fantastic issue where he pulls off a huge stunt to convince Vicki Vale he is not Red Robin and throw her off the Bat-family’s trail. It was great to see Miss Martian helping out and Tim continue to reach out to his connections. This really is the book for the Batfamily as everyone seems to be appearing here (Except for Cass of course, Vicki didn’t seem to know her identity because Cass is too awesome for that!) I like how Tam Fox is being trusted to keep the BatFamily secrets as well. This book rocks!

Red Robin 9 and 10

Red Robin #9
Written by Christopher Yost
Art by Marcus To

 

The end of this issue is the beginning of Batgirl #8. They weren’t the same scene at all though! What the hell is wrong with the editors at DC Comics. If you are going to do a crossover shouldn’t this all be coordinated? Anyways Tim returning to Gotham is really awesome, loved about every panel of this issue. To draws Gotham fantastically.

Red Robin #10
Written by Christopher Yost
Art by Marcus To

 

Former lovers Tim and Steph continue their team-up in their new personas in this issue and I am still annoyed that Tim has not asked what happened to Cassandra! Whatever the art was good and the mystery with Ra’s, Hush, and Vicki Vale is really interesting. I am still loving Tam Fox as a character. Good stuff.

Where The Hell Is She?!

Batgirl (Volume 3) #8
Written by Bryan Q. Miller
Art by Talent Caldwell

 

I miss Garbett’s art I think his absence really hurt this issue. It was a sweet story where Tim and Steph finally recouncil sort of but at the same time Steph chooses not to take him back, proving that she is an independent woman now. And because you know I am going to bring it up, they did mention Cassandra in this issue. In one panel and all Tim says is Cassandra? He doesn’t even fucking ask Stephanie where Cassandra Cain is or why she is no longer Batgirl! This pissed me off. Remember that DC Nation where Didio said there were big plans for Cass in 2010, where the hell is she?!

I Want To Hate This Book

Batgirl (Volume 3) #4
Written by Bryan Q. Miller
Art by Tim Levins and Lee Garbett

 

I want so much to hate this book! Especially after watching Kyle Rayner died over in Green Lantern Corps, I really want this book to be awful because I love Cassandra Cain so much. Unfortunately, this book is a lot of fun. Stephanie is making for an interesting Batgirl. Can we at least see Cassandra though? Is Babs aware of where she is? Steph’s new costume is cool and make me miss Cassandra less now that we aren’t seeing Cassie’s Batgirl costume on the page.  So this is series is easier to read and less of a reminder that DC continues to disrespect my favorite comic book character. Barbara and Steph’s relationship is a lot of fun and Steph has great one-liners. I have to say that this issue was a definite success. I am not sure that putting Steph against Livewire was such a good idea. Could they not have had a Gotham villain to face? I am glad that I am enjoying this, don’t get me wrong, I know that I would enjoy it more if it was about Cassandra Cain or at least mentioned her.

Cassandra Cain Will Be Back

Batgirl (Volume 3) #1
Written by Bryan Q. Miller
Art by Lee Garbett

You know I should really hate this book. My favorite character – after being disrespected by DC editorial since her series ended and ignored in other bat titles – gives up her role as Batgirl in this issue to Stephanie Brown! But I am actually not that upset, because it is totally in character for her. Cassandra thought the world of Bruce and I do believe Bruce’s death would cause her to not want to wear his symbol anymore. I hope it is only temporary and she comes back to help Steph or goes and helps Tim in his adventures – but I am okay with it for now. Granted though, this would have been a lot better if it starred Cassandra Cain, but Stephanie was someone Cassandra really liked and I understand why she gave Steph the cowl. I like Barbara’s involvement in this as well and I am curious as to where this is all heading. But please bring Cassie back sooner rather then later!

Batman Confidential 9 – 21

Batman Confidential #9

Written by Michael Green

Art by Denys Cowan

Okay I really hope this is a joke….I mean there is no way in hell Batman would order a hit on the Joker. Are you kidding me? If it is, this story is crap. I hope not because I do generally like Green as a comic writer. I do think the idea of Joker’s smile being created by the Batarangs to be pretty clever though.

Batman Confidential #10 Written by Michael Green
Art by Denys Cowan

Okay well I am glad that Batman changed his mind at the last second, but it is still hard to swallow that Batman would have ordered the hit in the first place. The joker’s emergence from the waters was a very nice scene, I especially liked the bunny on the moon part haha.

Batman Confidential #11 Written by Michael Green
Art by Denys Cowan

Still don’t understand how this fits in continuity but oh well, let’s just imagine this is another one of the Joker’s retelling of his possible origin. It was okay issue….really the only good parts were the Joker’s lines. Batman’s love for Lorna Shore just seems forced and lame.

Batman Confidential #12 Written by Michael Green
Art by Denys Cowan

So the Joker’s origin concludes with this issue in which Bruce ends it with Lorna and defeats the Joker for the first time. Eh….it was okay. Nothing special.

Batman Confidential #13 Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Rags Morales

Okay Bedard is a great writer and Morales is an amazing artist, but I did not expect this to as good as it was! This is by far the best arc of this series within just one issue. I want to know more about the Wrath and I love how this is not set in Year One but around the time Robin became Nightwing. There are just too many stories set in Year One that this was very refreshing.

Batman Confidential #14 Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Rags Morales

Hmmm…..so is the ending hinting that this Wrath was the original Wrath’s sidekick? I like the Wrath…he is a way cooler anti-Batman then Killer Moth ever was. Why no one has brought him back before this is beyond me. Kudos for Bedard for doing so. Oh and I do not even have to mention since this is Morales but the art is gorgeous in this issue.

Batman Confidential #15
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Rags Morales

The original Wrath’s origin is revealed this issue and it’s anti-Batman to the max. But it is not lame silver agey at all, but really clever. I am really enjoying this arc. And you gotta love the Wrath-mobile.

Batman Confidential #16
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Rags Morales

This concludes the Wrath storyline and we find out the new Wrath’s origin. Very clever stuff. I like that the original Wrath kidnapped these children and most of them got killed. Kinda reminds me of All-Star Batman (:. I highly reccomend everyone pick up with this arc.

Batman Confidential #17
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Kevin Maguire

Haha what an expected turn for the original Batgirl’s first meeting with Catwoman. Barbara has to follow her into a hedonist club – naked times for the Cat and the Bat! Although, I have to say, from what I have seen on TV….nudists are never as attractive as these people. The art here is great since it’s Maguire but some of their facial expressions are too much like they are taking dumps (:

Batman Confidential #18
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Kevin Maguire

This was hilarious….Catwoman and Batman fighting it out naked. It must hurt to get kicked like that hehe. The scene in the junkyard with Catwoman and the dog was fantastic as well. This series has really picked up with the Wrath arc and this.

Batman Confidential #19
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Kevin Maguire

This issue sees Batgirl and Catwoman working together against the Russian mob after they steal the notebook. The banter between Selina and Barbara is hilarious, even though they aren’t fighting anymore. And I love the inner monologues of both characters.

Batman Confidential #20
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Kevin Maguire

Well, I think this is the first time the Narrows has ever been mentioned in Batman comics, I am pretty sure it was only in the movies before….but not totally sure. Anywyas, I look forward to seeing Batgirl take on Arkham’s villains next issue.

Batman Confidential #21 Written by Fabian Nicieza

Art by Kevin Maguire

For some reason, this issue really got excited for the upcoming Arkham Asylum video game. This was an Arkham story really done well as you feel the creepiness of the place and the villain will get to you at every turn. At the same time, this story retained its light heartedness. What a wonderful surprise this arc was, I hope Fabian’s Robin run is just as good as this.