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.

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.

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.

Give Cassandra Some Credit!

Red Robin #8
Written by Christopher Yost
Art by Marcus To

When Tim is listing the fighters he has learned from – would it have fucking killed him to acknowledge Cassandra Cain! She is one of the greatest fighters in the DC Universe and he fought by her side many of times and no mention! I am really sick of the Bat family (and writers) ignoring Cassandra. No wonder she just fucking ran away! End of rant. Anyways, this was a decent issues besides and I like the relationship between Tam and Tim. I look forward to seeing Tim return to Gotham.

So What’s Next?

Red Robin #4
Written by Christopher Yost
Art by Ramon Bachs

Wow Tim did it! He found the cave where Bruce painted the bat at the end of Final Crisis. It was in Iraq after all. I liked how Tim even brings up how sure he was about Bruce being alive as he was when he first figured out Bruce was Batman all those years ago. Nice use of continuity by Yost. I was happy to see Tim proven right. I really hope he isn’t as dead as he looks at the end of this issue – in fact I am sure he isn’t. But I don’t know what is going to happen next in this series and I like that.

Time Jumping

Red Robin #3
Written by Christopher Yost
Art by Ramon Bachs

It’s three issues in and we are still seeing flashbacks to how Tim officially became Red Robin. But at least they weren’t as confusing in terms of time jumping as the last couple issues. In fact, I liked this issue a lot and it is definitely the best issue of this book so far. I still don’t see why Tim thinks Bruce is alive but at least after this issue it looks like he is following some kind’ve trail – Bruce was shown in a cave at the end of Final Crisis and Tim goes to an anthropology museum in this issue and discovers something, but we are not told what that is. I love that Ra’s has everything figured out in terms of who is who and what his grandson is up to – I find his relationship with Tim very interesting. I think this issue has got me interested in this series after all.

Let’s Hope The Next Arc Is Less Confusing

Outsiders (Volume 4) #20
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Lee Garbett

Hmmm….I can’t say I completely understand what just happened in this issue. Who exactly were the Insiders? Just immortals? I am going to have to reread this story arc and I bet this thing reads a lot better in trades then in monthlies. So I am not going to judge it and say it was bad but I was rather confused. It was nice to see the Creeper in action and I liked the conversation between Ra’s and Vandal Savage but ya I am not sure what happened. Hopefully Tomasi’s next arc will be less confusing.

Imposters And Skin Suits

Batman: Streets of Gotham #2
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Dustin Nguyen
Co-Feature by Marc Andreyko
Art by Georges Jeanty

Okay I did not expect the main story with Hush to go the way it did – but I liked it! I am very interested in seeing how this plays out with Hush posing as Bruce and Dick not being able to do anything about it (I assume). it was also cool to see the League’s reaction to Bruce’s  fake return. We still don’t know who the new Black Mask is and I hope we find out soon enough. I also wonder who this mysterious new vigilante guy is? I hope it’s some guy from the past and not some random new duded. Nguyen’s art kindve annoyed me because it was said that Gordon was there – but I did not see Gordon. Did he read the script? But I really enjoyed this issue. The Manhunter Co-Feature was kick ass and I liked it even better then the last issue. Jane Doe is one scary villain! Art-wise it seemed like Kate was drawn like a little girl sometimes and I didn’t like that at all but story-wise it was great.

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.

Outsiders 18 and 19

Outsiders (Volume 4) #18
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Lee Garbett

Wow did Alfred really just punch Deathstroke in the face! That is one butler with balls let me tell you! This was a decent issue. For some reason Slade wants to kill the immortals. I suppose we will find out why soon. Or am I just forgetting and they explained it in the last issue? The Outsiders show up just in time to save Alfred luckily.

Outsiders (Volume 4) #19
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Fernando Pasarin and Jeremy Haun

Now this was more like it. This issue really kicked things into gear. There was action, fighting, and character moments. Not to mention I like Pasarin’s art much better then Garbett’s. The Creeper sneaking up on the guys on the ship was a great moment (and realy his first great moment since joining the team), as was Black Lightning calling out Geo-Force on his poor leadership skills. It looks like Slade is corrupting another young girl. I like that idea. It seems to be a habit of his. The slicing in half of the one guy was pretty gross. I am not sure where any of this is going but I am enjoying the ride.

Crossing The Lines

Red Robin #1
Written by Chrisopher Yost
Art by Ramon Bachs

 

Okay I am not sure how I feel about Tim crossing the lines but at least he doesn’t kill anyone in this debut issue. Tim Drake is Red Robin and this is not surprise here, but I still think it was kind of rude for Dick to chose Damian as Robin instead of Tim, I understand his reasoning but there had to be something else he could do with Damian. I like the idea that Tim is traveling the world looking for proof that Bruce is alive but I mean…how does he know that he is alive and why does he think he is alive? I suppose we will find out soon. Anyways, this was an okay debut issue for this new series.

Better Stay A Good Guy

Robin #183
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Freddie E. Williams II

Once again, I am annoyed that there is no mention of Cassandra Cain in the Bat family. What the hell, Nicieza! The art is better then usual for Williams but I couldn’t make out who was who in the back up story! How annoying. This whole issue annoyed me. Which is sad since this is the final issue of a series that has been going strong since 1993. At least I am excited for what is to come for Tim Drake, he just better not turn into an asshat like Jason Todd or something. At least they focused more on the history of this series then the Nightwing finale did, Tim basically says goodbye to people like Stephanie, Zoanne, and Ives which is a nice look at the supporting cast he has had over the years. Anyways, it was a long run, Tim, you better stay a good guy.

Ra’s In Mourning

Nightwing #152
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Don Kramer

In this penultimate issue, Ra’s al Ghul summons Nightwing to tell him of Batman’s death. I liked the idea that Ra’s wouldn’t be too happy that anyone else could kill Batman besides him. Ra’s always respected Batman and it shows here. He even says it himself. (As much respect one CAN HAVE for someone they want to kill I guess). Although Batman’s demise in Final Crisis and R.I.P was badly coordinated and not handled right, I think his absence will create some interesting stories for the Batman family and I am getting excited about it. This issue was a great way to explore how Bruce’s absence will effect both enemies and allies, much better then O’Niel’s arc did.