Red Robin 22-26

Red Robin #22
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Freddie Williams II

This was another issue of the Azrael Batman crossover. It was good and for once I wasn’t bothered by Williams’s art for some reason it seemed less cartoony this time around. I don’t quite buy the idea that Tim Drake would not believe in God because he is a member of the Teen Titans he has fought Gods and knows that there is Angel that used to be in the Justice League, etc. I think Nicieza should have said he doesn’t believe in the Christian version of God or something else besides this because it doesn’t work in the DCU.

Red Robin #23
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Marcus To

I wonder if the scene where Lucius Fox means with a Hong Kong businessman named Lau is a homage to the similar scene in The Dark Knight. It sure seems like it. Anyways, this was a decent issue where Red Robin is lead into a trap and an assassin’s tournament. Tim acts like he has heard of this tournament before and I wonder if it was in this book or in his time as Robin.

Red Robin #24
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Marcus To

I like how Marcus To draws Tim’s Red Robin costume when he is surrounded completely with his cape, which is surprising because I am not a big fan of the costume in general. The ending of this issue actually made this interesting after all as there is an occult angle to this story line that I was not expecting. Also Tim may be forced to impregnate someone but I am sure he gets out of this next issue? Let’s see!

 

Red Robin #25
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Marcus To

Tim and Cassandra Cain fighting together again at last! Despite the misleading cover, Tim and Cassandra – now in her new guise as Black Bat – a rather awesome title for her I think. The only thing better would be what she truly is – Batgirl! Anyways, it was great to see the two of them working together. To me and people my age, they are Batgirl and Robin. That being said, Nicieza only briefly mentions Tim going to Hong Kong to help Cass fight Cricket. Which sounds like an awesome villain. Why can’t we see that story instead of what I assume the next issue will be. I bet he originally wanted to include it but it was cut because of the stupid New 52.

Red Robin #26
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Marcus To

In the final issue of this series, Tim sets up a death trap for Captain Boomerang – the man who killed his father, but saves Boomerang at the last second. Batman is disappointed in Red Robin and even though he made the right choice the issue ends on a darker note with a darker Red Robin. I question why they would go in this direction at all? It doesn’t really fit the character although I do think there is room for Tim to kill more than Cassandra Cain whose whole character was about not killing but still…it’s a bit strange.

Batman 709 – 713

Batman #709
Written by David Hine
Art by Guillem March

In this issue we learn that Dick let a boy he was jealous of get beat up back in his trapeze days. Dick acts so guilty about it but he was just a kid…what was he going to do? He hadn’t been trained by Bruce yet. Azrael realizes that he is being duped by Ra’s Al Ghul and the day is saved. I liked this comic although it was a little too convenient that the guy ended up bringing up “his friend Dick from childhood” to Batman.

Batman #710
Written by Tony Daniel
Art by Steve Scott

I often forget that it is Dick and not Bruce in these comics sometimes. But Daniel did a good job of reminding us of this when he has Dick just standing around as Batman near reporters. Bruce would never do that. Meanwhile Dick and Selena try to convince Katrina Falcone aka Catgirl to leave Gotham and Two-Face is looking for his missing coin.  Daniel is really mining continuity for his run on Batman and I love it. Steve Scott was an excellent substitute for Daniel’s art too. The issue ends with a surprise return character.

Batman #711
Written by Tony Daniel
Art by Steve Scott

This was another fun issue of Batman. Yes sometimes things can be both dark and fun. Daniel has had a way of balancing that in his run. I love that he mines Batman’s history and his supporting cast. Here we get Riddler’s Daughter, Catgirl, Riddler, and Two-Face plus the Falcones and Gilda Dent. I am not sure I understand why Gilda is with Mario Falcone but I am sure that will be cleared up in the next issue or something.

 

Batman #712
Written by Tony Daniel
Art by Steve Scott

You can tell Daniel is wrapping up his run now. Catgirl leaves Gotham, I think the Riddler just killed his own daughter, and Two-Face killed Mario Falcone. Lots of death in this issue. So why would the Riddler shoot his daughter to “restore” himself?

Batman #713
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Steve Scott, Daniel Sampere, and Andrei Bressen

Here it is the final issue of a series that began in 1940! I hate when they renumber things and hope Batman goes back to its original numbering some day. Why is Cassandra Cain not in the splash page that shows the Batfamily! I mean come on! It shows the Huntress. Cassandra is way closer to Batman than the Huntress ever was! What is it with writers in this period and ignoring the greatest of all Batgirls. It ends up just being a a sweet story about how Dick teaches Damnian an important lesson. But that is so underwhelming for a finale of a comic book this important in history that it is just sad. Plus no Cassandra Cain so I obviously hated this.

 

 

5 Years Later and I am back baby! So here is Gotham City Sirens 22-26

Gotham City Sirens #22
Written by Peter Calloway
Art by Andres Guinaldo

It has been five years since I read the last issue of this book and I don’t remember what happened but I think this was a Batman crossover issue and therefore it doesn’t much matter. It sure as hell was a good one though. Calloway really played with Catwoman’s history here with her sister which shows he understands the character. Always interesting to hear Selena quote Jesus of all people. I missed the DCU! It is good to be back in Gotham.

Gotham City Sirens #23
Written by Peter Calloway
Art by Andres Guinaldo

Look how old this comic is ! The Ryan Reynolds Green Lantern movie! Ew! Anyways, Harley tries to break Joker out of Arkham again and Batman sends Catwoman to stop it. I love that the Joker knows that there is more than one Batman running around Gotham and mentions it here. They really never had Joker and Harley together in the mainstream comics all that much. It is refreshing (and psychotic) to see it in this issue.

 

Gotham City Sirens #24
Written by Peter Calloway
Art by Andres Guinaldo

This was an action-packed finale to this arc that ends with both Harley and Ivy locked up in Arkham but not before the Joker goes on a murdering spree. It is fun to see the Bat and the Cat fighting together again. This was a great issue. Violent. I had forgotten how violent these comics can be. But I don’t mind violence as long as there is still hope and optimism in the end. DC Rebirth restored that for me. Let’s hope the Didio doesn’t screw this up!

Gotham City Sirens #25
Written by Peter Calloway
Art by Andres Guinaldo

Hats off to Guinaldo for choosing to make the borders between panels in this issue be actualy plant vines as it mainly stars Poison Ivy who breaks out of Arkham with Harley Quinn (I love that she goes between wanting to actually kill Harley and calling Harley her best friend throughout the issue) and with the help of the Penguin the duo traps Catwoman in Robinson Park. This is the perfect way to end a villain book, even sympathetic villains like these ladies. I look forward to the final issue.

Gotham City Sirens #26
Written by Peter Calloway
Art by Andres Guinaldo

This is the final issue of the Gotham City Sirens as it ends before the New 52 disgusting no-good horrible reboot. So glad it is turning out to not have been a reboot at all.  I have to say it had some great character moments but I was a bit confused if Batman was really behind the entire Sirens “team” or if Catwoman was lying. It also ended abruptly. I wonder if the other titles do this before Flashpoint or if this was unique. The last panel was just blank. Sad.

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.