My Guess Is Gilda

Batman #707
Written by Tony Daniel
Art by Daniel

 

The whole mess with the mask of the beholder ends here…it wasn’t my favorite story but it wasn’t bad either. I liked that it set up Peacock as a possible Dick Grayson love interest and the ending of this issue was just awesome. Daniel’s art has improved tremendously since Battle for the Cowl and it shows here too. So who is the mysterious woman at the end of this issue with the two-face coin? I am not sure but I have a feeling it’s Gilda Dent!

Family Time

Batman and Robin #20
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Patrick Gleason

 

Okay Tomasi already did the whole “Bat-family watches a movie together” thing when he was writing Nightwing and I thought it was corny then – doing it again here made it cornier. Maybe I am just pissed that he didn’t include Cassandra I don’t know but it’s just not what I want to see in Batman comic. The rest of the book was pretty good as a guy dressed like an Angel falls to his death and Batman and Robin tried to figure out why. Man-Bat shows up and everything. Not a bad start to Tomasi’s run on the book, but not really spectacular either.

Girl Sidekicks

Batman #706
Written by Tony Daniel
Art by Daniel

 

There seems to be a theme of girl sidekicks running through this book as both Riddler’s Daughter and Catgirl show up. I am looking forward to seeing more of Enigma as her backstory has never been really explained but Riddler does act like she may be his actual daughter in this. Though you would think the Riddler would know better then to mess with Batman’s suit? As always Daniel continues to utilize Gotham City to its fullest and I am loving his run so far.

The Post-Return Gotham

Batman #704
Written by Tony Daniel
Art by Daniel

 

Tony Daniel returns to this book and I am so excited about that as I loved his run prior. Despite writing and drawing the awful Battle for the Cowl, Daniel blew me away on his run on this book as he really brought Gotham to life and took advantage of playing with the great atmosphere that is Gotham City. This time around is no different as we are shown scene from Wayne Tower to Devil’s Square to Crime Alley. I liked seeing Catgirl again too and I actually like her costume a lot more now – I wonder if Daniel tweaked it I am not sure but it works better now. Selina is right, Bruce is being a hypocrite for not wanting Catgirl around but at the same time he always is right? He acted like that with the Spoiler. Great start to the Post-Return of Bruce Wayne Gotham City. Welcome back to writing duties Mr. Daniel!

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.

Tim Is Looking For Cassandra!

Red Robin #13
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Marcus To

 

Oh my God! It was just a little wording on his computer – but there it was – Tim is looking for Cass!!!!! Somebody gives a shit about Bruce’s adoptive daughter and my favorite member of the bat family! Finally! I hope this wasn’t a throw away thing. On Tim’s computer it said Cassandra – Hong Kong? Could this be connected the undercover cop posing as Lynx? Please tell me this isn’t throw away, it can’t be! I trust Nicieza to see this through. Anyways, this issue began Nicieza’s run and I have to say I already like it better then when Nicieza was writing Robin – Tim was at a different place then and I am excited to see what he does with Red Robin now that he is tracking down criminals. It makes sense that would be his niche as Tim was always the detective. Great start!

The Missing Daughter Saga Continues

Red Robin #12
Written by Christopher Yost
Art by Marcus To

 

Okay if Ra’s took the time to track down people like fucking Julie Madison, then why the fuck would he not go after Cassandra Cain – Bruce’s adopted daughter daughter and the former Batgirl! Is it because DC’s editors are asshats?! I think so. But anyways, this was a great way to end Yost’s run on the title and bring Tim full circle. This began as the story of Tim going in a direction too dark for the character but Yost has brought him back to Gotham and back to his old self. Hell they even made the costume more his. Yost’s run was great. I am certainly glad To is sticking around but I will miss Christopher Yost on this book.

The Missing Daughter

Red Robin #11
Written by Christopher Yost
Art by Marcus To

 

So Ra’s Al Ghul and his League of Assassins are going after every member of the Bat family…except for Cassandra Cain!!! Seriously pissed off after DC apparently lied to Cass fans in their DC Nation column and what’s his face at Wonder Con said there are no plans for Cass any time soon. Why does the Bat Family not care where she is? What the hell is going on here? Why is there no mention that Bruce’s adopted daughter is missing? I am going to fucking scream! AHHHHH! But anyways this was a pretty awesome issue.

Superman Batman 69 and 70

Superman/Batman #69
Written by Joe Casey
Art by Ardian Sayaf

Sayaf’s art is breathtaking – DC needs to put him on something huge soon! Casey’s story is intriguing as well as we learn the main villain is a Durlan hmm. Good stuff here. I loved seeing the Watchtower on the moon again! That brings me back.

Superman/Batman #70
Written by Joe Casey
Art by Ardian Sayaf and Jay Fabok

This was another good issue as the battle against the Durlan is fought on two fronts. I loved Batman in this – really showed how kick ass he is taking out the Hooded guy with one kick and getting all suited up to go into space and take on an alien one-on-one. Oh Bruce I missed you.

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.

Family History

Batman and Robin #10
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Andy Clarke

 

The start of this new arc was probably the most intiguing thing about this series yet. Bruce left clues to his where about within Wayne Manor – it makes perfect sense. Except for one problem…. the original Wayne Manor was destoryed during Cataclysm! Unless they reconstructed it exactly as it was, I am not sure if I remember that or not. I will have to look that up. I don’t know that I buy that Dick Grayson – who grew up in this house – wouldn’t know about the existence of a secret passageway and Alfred didn’t either but I am willing to let that go because it is a cool mystery and I am interested in the Wayne Family history now and I definitely wasn’t before.

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?!

Tam Fox To The Rescue

Red Robin #7
Written by Christopher Yost
Art by Marcus To

Somehow I doubt that Ra’s al Ghul is dead – I bet you that wasn’t the real Ra’s. Anyways, this is good stuff and I am really liking Tam Fox – I hope Yost plans to keep her in Red Robin’s supporting cast. She is a neat character. I loved the conversation between Lucious and Alfred – I wonder if Lucious knows more about the Wayne Family then he lets on. Is this going in the direction of the Batman movies where Lucious knows that Bruce is/was Batman? I am not sure but I am interested to see where this is all going.

The Return of Vicki Vale

Red Robin #6
Written by Christopher Yost
Art by Marco To

I didn’t expect Hush (who is still posing as Bruce Wayne) to become involved in this series but I did like the scenes between him and Vicki Vale. I have had minimal exposure to the character of Vicki Vale. She was already gone from Bruce’s life when I started reading comics so I know her most from Kim Basinger’s portrayal in 1989’s Batman. I always thought she was interesting though and I hope Yost explore her past relationship with Bruce further. Tim’s fight with the Council of Spiders is interesting and I like how Yost is adding more to the rich mythos that are the league of Assassins. We really are learning how powerful of an organization this is. I see that this takes place after Blackest Night or at least after Blackest Night: Batman. I like that they clarified that. I also highly doubt that Tam Fox is going to get killed.

Batman and Robin 4 – 5

Batman and Robin #4
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Phillip Tan

First I have to comment on the elephant in the room – the new artist. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Quitely but his work was breathtaking – and I really miss it. Tan’s not a horrible artist but a lot of his storytelling is a bit off and too dark. It is hard to figure out what is going on sometime. That being said – I am intrigued by both the Red Hood (Is it Jason?) and the Flamingo. Morrison is great at creating characters and the Red Hood’s new look is so comic booky it’s perfect.

Batman and Robin #5
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Phillip Tan

This was a fun ride! This was definitely the best issue of this book since the first issue. I love Morrison’s characterization of Jason Todd – it took four years but we actually get to see the reason why he was brought back to life – so he could be in stories like this. The Red Hood as the next gen Batman is a great idea and I like how Jason is even aware that that he is trying to do. Like he said it is when the ipod took out the walkman.  Morrison even remembers that Jason’s hair is not naturally black! Which is something that has annoyed me. Forget Under the Hood and COuntdown – this is the best Jason has been since returning to life. I have a feeling he is actually dying again because of the zits and the grey streak – perhaps he was only temporarily returned to life. I hope that I am right because it would be great for one last story to feature him before his death and he can go back to being Batman’s biggest regret. The art is still not great – but not as confusing as last issue. Flamingo is freaking scary as hell!  This was an exciting issue of Batman and Robin.

The Name Still Stinks But This Issue Is Better

Red Robin #2
Written by Christopher Yost
Art by Ramon Bachs

This cover gave away the identity of Red Robin months ago when it was released so I don’t know why DC tried to pretend like it was a big secret. Anyways, I enjoyed this issue much more then its debut issue. I am starting to rethink my attitude about Tim going “dark” he has been through a lot of shit. I don’t like the way he treats Stephanie in this though. Poor Stephanie Brown is always treated like shit even though she is always just trying to help. This series really should have continued Tim’s old numbering because it is very much a continuation of the “Robin” series. Don’t you wish Tim chose to be the new Nightwing instead of this Red “I am a burger chain too” Robin bullshit. It’s a great looking costume and always will be but the name really stinks. I also don’t like that Tim is always referred to as Tim Wayne now, I get that he wants to respect Bruce but isn’t that a little bit disrespectful of his real father, Jack Drake? Anyways, this was an enjoyable issue that kept me much more entertained that the prior issue.

Superman Batman 49 – 53

Superman/Batman #49
Written by Michael Green and Mike Johnson
Art by Shane Davis

This concludes the fantastic arc of the search for Kryptonite and I was a little worried that they had succeeded but it looks like Batman still has a stockpile! Nice. What Superman said to Lana was hurtful, but true. I can’t believe she would do that to him over keeping LexCorp alive. That was shady. Good issue.

Superman/Batman #50
Written by Michael Green and Mike Johnson
Art by Ed Benes, Matthew Clark, Ian Churchill, and Allan Goldman

I really wanted to like this story. It’s heart is in the right place, the art was good, and the writing was good. But I have to say the idea that Jor-El and Thomas Wayne met a long time ago is soooo unlikely and ridiculous that it takes away from what could be a good Batman/Superman story. Not recommended.

Superman/Batman #51
Written by Michael Green and Mike Johnson
Art by Rafael Alberquerque

While the lil’leaguers are funny and cute, especially their hilarious origins…..I wouldn’t want this all the time. It’s always good to have comic relief sometimes but let’s face it, cute gets annoying after it’s over done. So despite the fact that some bloggers want to read Tiny Titans (even though they are adults) and want nothing bad to ever happen in the DCU, I don’t want that nor do the majority of readers. Anyways, besides that rant this was a good issue and a nice break from the serious storytelling.

Superman/Batman #52
Written by Michael Green and Mike Johnson
Art by Rafael Alberuerque

This was another fun issue featuring the lil’leaguers, I do question Bat-Mite’s place in current continuity as here it seems like he actually is a guy from the 5th dimension while over in Batman’s own series he seems to be a mental delusion of Bruce. Anyways, I loved the end where Lil’Joker meets The Joker and Lil’Superman’s death was very sad. Good issue.

Superman/Batman #53
Written by Michael Green and Mike Johnson
Art by Rags Morales

After a tussle with Silver Banshee, it looks like Superman has lost his powers and Batman has gained them. Always a fun plot development no matter if it has been done before. Morales’s art is amazing this issue and makes me miss Davis on this series less. Green and Johnson are the BEST thing that has ever happened to this book.