Maybe Even Better Than Rucka

Batwoman #0
Written by J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman
Art by Williams III and Amy Reeder

 

If I had any doubt that Batwoman couldn’t fly without Rucka, I do not after reading this! Holy shit was this awesome. Williams and Reeder both blow you away with their art on every page and at the same time a great story is being told without Batwoman ever speaking a word! Batman narrarates as he follows her. They write an awesome detective Batman too! I can’t wait till february!

What Will Happen Next?

Detective Comics #863
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Jock and Scott Kolins
Co-Feature by Rucka
Art by Cully Hamner

 

The main story has Batwoman defeat the Cutter and it is perfectly juxtaposed against the flashback with Batman. The art team did a great job of making sure that it was no confusing with the red versus blue colors. In the end, Bette reveals her Flamebird costume to Kate. I wonder what will come of this? I can’t wait to see but we may have to wait a bit considering Batwoman is taking a break from the title and Rucka is leaving DC. Darn. The Question back-up was good as Huntress and Renee find themselves facing Veronica Cale who leads them to Vandal Savage.

Batwoman Vs. The Cutter

Detective Comics #861
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Jock
Co-Feature by Rucka
Art by Cully Hamner

Jock isn’t a terrible artist, but I miss Williams already. His style really brought a flare to this book. This issue would’ve been rather boring if not for learning more about the relationship between Batwoman and Bette Kane. The Cutter serial killer has been done-to-death in oh everything. Nip/Tuck had a whole season focused on the exact same premise. When did Bette move to Gotham and why is she still in college? Shouldn’t she be older then that now? She went to Hudson University with Dick Grayson did she not? Maybe she took some time off. I was confused why Batman was wearing the yellow symbol in this. It is great to have it back but at first I thought it was a flashback. Especially the beginning when Gordon is referred to as Captain? Perhaps just those first few pages were a flashback. The Question back-up was rather good this time. I still wish it had a less cartoony artist though.

There Is Nothing Quite Like A Gotham City Christmas

Batman: Streets of Gotham #7
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Dustin Nguyen
Co-Feature by Marc Andreyko
Art by Cliff Richards

The main story is one of the more disturbing Batman Christmas stories I have ever read and I get a love disturbing Batman Christmas stories! Especially when written by Paul Dini! How great was that Joker and Robin Christmas issue from his Detective run?! Children are being locked up under a catholic orphanage and forced to fight to the death by Szasz. Their bodies are discovered by Humpty Dumpty who is desperately trying to put them together again. What a seemingly sweet villain Humpty is!? I have very limited experience with him and I would like to read more of him. Damian’s expression when he realizes that the kids Humpty is taking care of are all dead is great because you know when Damian is sickened by something, then it is really bad. I am really starting to love Damian since that Batgirl issue. I love how he has the balls to say that if you are a real son you get better gifts for Christmas haha. The Manhunter back-up is also great as Two-Face comes after Dylan and Manhunter has to defend him.

The Origin of Batwoman

Detective Comics #858
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by J.H. Williams III
Co-Feature by Rucka
Art by Cully Hamner

We finally begin the origin of Batwoman – a story I have waited three years to read. Was it worth the wait? I don’t know yet. I like that it has the violent background that the other bat characters have. Kate’s mom is murdered by terrorists or some kind of group because after she and her sister are kidnapped. Her twin sister seems dead but is obviously not considering she grows up to become Alice. Under any other artist, the story wouldn’t be as engaging. But the way Williams not only changes his style when we shift into the flashback, but also how draws the entire kidnapping and horrific scene through the eyes of Kate – which helps the reader empathize with her and think about how horrific the scene would seem to such a young girl. The way her father stays calm while saving Kate and reassures her is such a sad scene that I can’t say that Rucka’s script didn’t contribute to the greatness of this issue. Unfortunately, the Question back-up is still boring and completely devoid of anything remotely interesting.

Breathtaking

Detective Comics #856
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by J.H. Williams III
Co-Feature by Rucka
Art by Cully Hamner

After last issue was only decent, this issue picked it up a lot and I really enjoyed it. The religion of Crime really interests me now. I like the idea that Abbot has a different interpretation of their religion then Alice. It was great to see Bette Kane and Maggie Swayer. The entire sequence where Kate is dancing with Maggie really hit home for me as a gay man and knowing how your family always thinks you are flaunting it when you are really just being yourself. It is also nice to know that Gordon has an anti-discrimination policy! We still don’t know if Kate’s Stepmom was once the original Batwoman (who per Morrison’s issues of Batman is still in continuity I think) but it doesn’t seem like it here. Is Bette still active as Flamebird? Does Kate know that she was or is Flamebird? Williams’s art is beautiful. Seriously the guy should win an award for this. Every page is breathtaking to look at. The Question back-up is pretty short but not bad.