Batman Rebirth 1 – 17

Batman (Volume 3) #1
Written by Tom King
Art by David Finch

In the first issue of this new Batman solo series, Batman prepares to give his life to save a plane full of people that almost crashes into Gotham. Spoiler Alert…he ends up not dying although he prepares to say goodbye to Alfred in a touching scene. The plane is actually saved by two Superheroes calling themselves Gotham and Gotham Girl. The idea of heroes showing up in Gotham with actual powers is an interesting thing. Would this make Batman feel useless? I guess we will see. I enjoyed the art in this. Finch knows how to draw Gotham City and its world well. Also, who is this new Batman protege Duke Thomas? I don’t know anything about

Batman (Volume 3) #2
Written by Tom King
Art by David Finch

I love how Duke asks Batman if he trusts these new heroes of Gotham and Gotham Girl, and he says “I don’t even trust Alfred.” That made me smile. I thought this would make Batman jealous to have super powered heroes but I should have known better – Batman is a true hero and wants what is best for Gotham City. These heroes could stop things he cannot stop and he knows that. I loved how the Gotham Man is confused when Batman dissapears when talking to Commissioner Gordon. But who are these two heroes and how do they have powers that are almost Kryptonian in nature? I do not like how skinny Finch draws Amanda Waller. She is way too thin in this. But that is my only complaint about this issue.

Catwoman 69 – 82

Catwoman (Volume 3) #69
Written by Will Pfieffer
Art by David Lopez

This side story to Amazon’s Attack is actually better then the main series, which isn’t saying much, but this was a good issue. I liked Batman having a car seat in the batmobile! He really does plan for everything. The art is gorgeous as ever too.

Catwoman (Volume 3) #70
Written by Will Pfieffer
Art by David Lopez

Hmmm I am not sure what happened on that last page. Where is Selina taking her baby? But this was a damn good issue….I loved how Selina kicked that Amazon’s ass and tricked her. Very good stuff.

Catwoman (Volume 3) #71
Written by Will Pfieffer
Art by David Lopez

Now Selina faking her own death has been done before…in fact one of the first comics I ever bought featured such a story…but this was really good and I loved Bruce’s involvement. It’s sad that it looks like Selina will be giving away her baby, but the kid has been in so many close-calls it probably is the right thing to do.

Catwoman (Volume 3) #72
Written by Will Pfieffer
Art by David Lopez

I gotta be honest…I almost cried during this issue. A mother giving away her only child must be the hardest thing in the world. I thought she was going to go through with it and have Zatanna wipe away her memory of Helena because it was too hard. I suppose one day some writer will bring Helena back into Selina’s life, but for now I guess she has to live with knowing she will never see her daughter again. Very sad.

Catwoman (Volume 3) #69
Written by Will Pfieffer
Art by David Lopez

Not sure if I recognize the guy at the end of this issue but this was another fun issue of Catwoman. I love the idea of a billionaire who collects super-villain memorabilia and I love what Catwoman did with the Joker Explodie-hand. Lopez’s art is underrated, he really knows how to tell stories from fantastic different angles along with amazing facial expressions.

Catwoman (Volume 3) #74
Written by Will Pfieffer
Art by David Lopez

It looks like Catwoman is going to be taken to the prison planet from Salvation Run. I look forward to that. But this issue was as good as always, I hope the whole thing with The Thief gets resolved eventually. Oh and seeing her get her old hair back was a geek out moment for me.

Catwoman (Volume 3) #75
Written by Will Pfieffer
Art by David Lopez

This issue actually makes me want to read Salvation Run as it is fun to see all the villains interact; especially Catwoman and Cheetah who make an interesting paring. Pfieffer writes Luthor pretty well but I prefer my Luthor to be a little less…er…I don’t know, Supervillain-ish. I guess I always liked the Luthor as Evil Corporate guy thing but at least he isn’t in that stupid suit freaking Loeb brought back.

Catwoman (Volume 3) #76
Written by Will Pfieffer
Art by David Lopez

I like how Selina recaps what has gone on before in her head most issues and in this issue because it helps new readers a while lot. Lopez’s drawing of the alternate Catwoman looks similar to the costume warn by Halle Barry in that awful movie, and I bet that was intentional. Speaking of Lopez, why is this guy not on a book like JLA! He does great art and does it on time! Come on DC!

Catwoman (Volume 3) #77
Written by Will Pfieffer
Art by David Lopez

I liked this issue more because it makes me sad to see Martian Manhunter then anything else. What a great character that we lost this year. I hope he comes back. But yes, the story and art were good as usual as Catwoman escapes from her pseudo-dream thingamagiger.

Catwoman (Volume 3) #78
Written by Will Pfieffer
Art by David Lopez

Eh this seemed like a sort’ve unnecessary issue, I think I am getting sick of the Salvation Run plot but she will be back to earth next issue so that is good. It was good to see Slam Bradley again and I wonder what he will think when he finds out Selina gave Helena away.

Catwoman (Volume 3) #79
Written by Will Pfieffer
Art by David Lopez

This was a good issue and I really get the feeling that we are going to get the old Catwoman back. It was good to be back on earth as well. But as for Slam, you would think he would ask her more questions about his granddaughter, wouldn’t you?

Catwoman (Volume 3) #80
Written by Will Pfieffer
Art by David Lopez

The eightieth issue brings Catwoman back to the way I like her, the real feline fatale. She is one bitch you don’t want to mess with and “The Thief” learns that the hard way this issue. Awesome.

Catwoman (Volume 3) #81
Written by Will Pfieffer
Art by David Lopez

Catwoman return to her full-time criminal career in this penultimate issues and it was fantastic! I liked how Lopez used the windows in the building to show flashbacks.

Catwoman (Volume 3) #82
Written by Will Pfieffer
Art by David Lopez

Sadly, this is the final issue of Catwoman, but it could not have ended in a better way! The series has been brought full circle, touching on things that go all the way back to the Brubaker run, Catwoman is back to being a thief and having Batman chasing her across rooftops and I think there is no other way they could have ended this series effectively.

Detective 833 – 848

Detective Comics #833
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Don Kramer

The first time I read this issue I was pleasently surprised that Loxias turned out to the Joker. On a second read-through, it was fun to see the clues early on. What a great reveal. Dini may have a Zatanna-fetish, but he does know how to tell great Batman stories with her.

Detective Comics #834 Written by Paul Dini
Art by Don Kramer

Dini is probably the greatest Joker writer of the modern era. This issue supports that. The Joker is hilarious and I love the line about the Justice League Picnic. The ending was awesome where Joker stages his final act. And it was nice to see Batman finally forgive Zatanna for mindwiping him.

Detective Comics #835 Written by John Rozum
Art by Tom Mandrake

This is a particularly creepy Scarecrow filler arc from a writer I have never heard of. The art here is fantastic; dark and moody, fitting the story very well. Scarecrow is one sick fuck.

Detective Comics #836 Written by John Rozum
Art by Tom Mandrake

This concludes the two-part Scarecrow story from last issue. Scarecrow is scaring the heck out of Gotham without his fear gas. Hats off to him I guess haha. He does some scary shit here including almost convincing Robin to go to sleep with a bear trap as a pillow. I question why Rozum brought in this love interest, Kay. She served no point in the story and it’s just a filler so it’s not like she will be staying around. Odd.

Detective Comics #837 Written by Paul Dini
Art by Don Kramer

This countdown Tie-in worked really well I think. Anytime we have Dini writing Harley Quinn and the Riddler in one issue it is going to be good. Now that I think of it, have we even seen Harley since Countdown ended?

Detective Comics #838 Written by Paul Dini
Art by Ryan Benjamin

This is Part 3 of the Ressurrection of Ra’s Al Ghul crossover. Eh it was okay. I have never really gotten into Ra’s al Ghul. The only story I really liked with him was Tower of Babel but more for the Justice League then him. So it is really hard for me to care about this story.

Detective Comics #839 Written by Paul Dini
Art by Ryan Benjamin and Don Kramer

This was the conclusion of the Ressurrection of Ra’s al Ghul Crossover and I actually liked it a lot better then the previous issue’s part. Ra’s is not alive inside his son’s body and I did like the moment where they all share a Christmas drink at the end (although I wish Cassandra Cain were included in the family moment)

Detective Comics #840 Written by Paul Dini
Art by Don Kramer

Dini is the master of creating new villains. Many modern writers do not create new villains, they use the old ones (which I have no problem with) or they just use a generic monster or gangster. But Dini know how to create a good old fashioned Batman villain and the Globe – a guy obsessed with maps – just fits right in with the rest. But the Globe isn’t even the main attraction of this issue, Ra’s Al Ghul right after being ressurected is drugged and locked into Arkham by Batman. After all that, Dini put Ra’s right out of action….awesome.

Detective Comics #841 Written by Paul Dini
Art by Dustin Nguyen

The things that I love about Dini’s work is how he writes the Bat-villains (and how he utilizes them, for the greatest group of villains in comics, a lot of writers choose not to use them) and he does it again with the Mad Hatter here who although tricked into starting a Wonderland Gang by Tweedledee and Tweedledum, gets his revenge in an awesome way. I miss Kramer’s work on this title, but Nguyen’s artwork isn’t half-bad.

Detective Comics #842 Written by Paul Dini
Art by Dustin Nguyen

This was a good filler. This Suit of Sorrows reminded me too much of the black suit from Spider-Man but all in all, it was a nice little story.

Detective Comics #843 Written by Paul Dini
Art by Dustin Nguyen

This is another great issue of Dini’s run in which we finally find out the real name of the new Ventriloquist – Peyton Riley. The name sounds familiar but I am not sure where I have heard it before. One does have to wonder how she could make the scarface voice as a female, but I guess that is just suspension of disbelief? Oh and I am not sure how I feel about a Zatanna-Batman romance.

Detective Comics #844 Written by Paul Dini
Art by Dustin Nguyen

So I am still not sure if Peyton Riley has appeared before, but her origin story is pretty cool and I hadn’t even noticed that she had been hiding her eye with her hair this whole time. I garuntee you she’s not dead, as she just fell into the ocean and that always means they will be back. I wonder how she will get a hold of Scarface again, considering he’s in the Batcave now.

Detective Comics #845 Written by Paul Dini
Art by Dustin Nguyen

I really liked this issue – Catwoman and Batman interacting is always fun – and I especially liked the Detective chat room Batman was in with the Riddler and Detective Chimp. Nice touch, Dini!

Detective Comics #846 Written by Paul Dini
Art by Dustin Nguyen

So this is Hush’s return – and I must say Dini’s take on Hush may be even better then Loeb’s. His backstory is explored much better here and Dini seems to be on the road to making him a more developed villain for Batman…..and I like the idea that even a lion could cuddle up with Catwoman lol.

Detective Comics #847 Written by Paul Dini
Art by Dustin Nguyen

Yep, I can tell you now that Dini’s Hush story is much better then the original – his back storie are making Hush a more well-rounded and frightening character. The conversation between Catwoman and Zatanna made me smile and I can’t help but get excited for the next issue.

Detective Comics #848 Written by Paul Dini
Art by Dustin Nguyen

Oh my gosh, that was an intense issue. I was so scared for Selina there, thank god she is alive. How she is living without a heart I do not know. Hush is one sick mother fucker….and I wonder how this all connects to Peyton Riley, the Ventriloquist. And why did Selina recognize Hush as someone else before he stabbed her? This is really really good and I hope people are reading this….because this way better then Hush’s debut arc and actually more enjoyable then RIP.

Return Of The Whip

Catwoman (Volume 3) #68
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez

This pulse-pounding issue of Catwoman was a really fast read…like I couldn’t believe it was over when it was. That isn’t to say that it was bad, just a fast-read. In the end, it looks like Holly is going undercover and we know she will end up at the Women’s Shelter over in Countdown. I am happy about that as I never really warmed up to her as Catwoman. I wonder what Selina is going to do now that her cover as Irena is blown. Anyways, the suspense of this issue was amazing. When Selina sees her baby in the middle of the road I felt the emotion right along with her and for a second there I actually thought Selina might accidentally run over her own child. Watching Catwoman work her whip was a geek-out moment as I don’t think she has used it in a while. This isn’t the last we will see of Hammer and Sickle but I hope that they get a good ass kicking next time.

Dead Wrong

Catwoman (Volume 3) #67
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez

Pfiefer is excellent with these cliffhangers where you are truly scared for the life of one of the Catwoman cast. I am truly scared that Karen is going to be killed next issue. Hammer and Sickle are just that evil. This proves once again at how good Pfeifer is at writing baddies. This is one of the most underrated books DC is putting out and I would recommend it to anyone. It’ funny, at one point in this issue I though yes Selina is going to defeat them. Everything is going to be okay, I thought, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I actually thought she had killed Sickle with that gun. I was so wrong. Dead wrong. Hammer and Sickle just may beat the Catwomen this time. The art is decent. I don’t really have much to say about it. The writing though is top-notch.

Baddies

Catwoman (Volume 3) #66
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez

Whoa this was one intense action-packed issue. Pfeifer knows how to balance the action with great dialogue. Blitzkrieg adds to a very growing list of great Catwoman baddies that Pfeifer has come up with and Hammer and Sickle are two Russians you don’t want to mess with. That said, I also liked the art this issue. Especially how they incorporate the title of the issue into the wall of that building. I still have no idea what the significance of that snowglobe is. Did we learn that last issue and I just don’t remember? Holly is really shown out on her own for the first time this issue but isn’t she exposing herself too many times? They should get a cowl that can’t be pulled off that easy. I have no idea what will happen next issue. Will Holly die? I don’t know. And that is awesome.

Catwoman 63 and 64

Catwoman (Volume 3) #63
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez

Catwoman goes to The Calculator in order to clear Holly’s name. I understand her reasoning for not going to Oracle, I mean Batman would be pissed if he found out Selina killed a man. It was fun to see the Calculator basically trick those guys into going after Catwoman. He knew that they would fail. Catwoman’s reputation proceeds her. I still wonder who is going to be Catwoman now. Is Selina officially the full time Catwoman again? I don’t know. Anyways, it looks like the Cat is heading to Metropolis.

Catwoman (Volume 3) #64
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez

I would highly reccomend this issue. It was really good. I loved the beginning, the middle, and end. This is how an issue of Catwoman should be. A nice heist issue with some twists. The idea that Lex lives deep below Luthor Tower is really cool and smart. I wonder if that is where he has been when they show him in Action Comics. Selina really shines this issue. Shows why she is one of the world’s greatest thieves. To be honest, I wish she did more thieving than heroing. It is all more fun. Meanwhile, Holly is also being Catwoman back in Gotham and is probably going to get herself in a big mess. Hammer and Sickle are going to come after her for sure. I have no idea what that apparition of the other Catwoman in Lex’s lair was and Selina’s guesses are good as mine. I enjoyed this issue a lot.

How She Had A Kitten

Catwoman (Volume 3) #62
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez

Catwoman recounts how she ended up with the child of Sam Bradley this issue and I must say it was very heart-warming yet sad tale. I enjoyed it, even though I originally wished that Batman was really the father. I love Selina’s comment when Holly says she thought Batman was the father, “Batman?Please.” Selina can never get back together with Slam now, it would be completely rudiculous and really gross if she did, I mean it is her baby’s grandfather. That is fine though, maybe she can focus on her relationship with a certain Bat-obsessed millionaire. Now, after this, is Holly still going to be Catwoman? I doubt it. Pfeifer has spent barely any time focusing on Holly so far and I doubt he wants to. Selina is just a much better character.

Cutting Wires

Catwoman (Volume 3) #61
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez

Like all issues of Catwoman since Pfierfer took over the book, this was good. I am sad to see that Film Freak will be gone for a while (I imagine he will be back someday like all great villains.) He was a really fun villain, even though he was an evil fucked up bastard. During this issue, I couldn’t help but thinking, does Catwoman work best as a hero or a villain? And I think she works best as in the middle, I feel like she is being portrayed too much as a super hero of late. Maybe she should try to steal and stuff more often. I know people think oooo but she can’t, that would be like taking the character back a step. Naw, I think that she could steal once in a while and not be going backwards. Oh and I think that she should start acting like a cat more, like Michelle Pfiefer did in Batman Returns. Maybe I am prejudice because Michelle was the reason I ended up liking Catwoman in the first place. I don’t know. Will and the artists still, besides my little rant, created a good issue here. The art is great, and the finale to this storyline was pretty good. I was glad they didn’t do the which wire is correct type of thing with the bomb, it was refreshing to see that not happen. I wonder if Selina is right, in real life does it really not matter which wire you cut?

Catwoman 57 – 60

Catwoman (Volume 3) #57
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez

Ah…this is the Catwoman I know. She certainly kicks the Film Freak and Angle Man’s ass this issue and the Catwoman I know wouldn’t put up with the bullshit that they have put her through. As you can tell, I enjoyed this issue. The art is fantastic. The meeting between Holly and Alan Scott is classic and the cliffhanger ending is perfect because, let’s face it, Zatanna does owe Selina.

Catwoman (Volume 3) #58
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez

This was a fun issue. We get to see how Zatanna does her little mind warps. I think this was a fine ending for now, but if too many comics include Zatanna altering minds of villains who find out secrets then it will get a little repetetive and cliche, but for this issue, it works. I was surprised when the cop put Black Mask’s skull on the table while interrogating Holly, I have never seen a cop do that in any type of fiction. Crazy. Anyways, this was just another great Catwoman issue. No complaints here.

Catwoman (Volume 3) #59
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez
Cover by Adam Hughes

Once again Seliana is acting like the Catwoman I know and love with her plan to break into the East End Jail. If anyone could do that, it is Selina. The Film Freak is one crazy bastard, Pfeifer manages to make him both fun and scary. The cliffhanger made me smile and the art continues to impress. That blonde cop is also a real asshole and I love the mention of Commisioner Gordon and how the war against capes in Gotham are over. Great Issue.

Catwoman (Volume 3) #60
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez
Cover by Adam Hughes

Wow, I must say I am really enjoying seeing what the film freak does next. What a great character! And I actually know the last one, it’s from Dr. Strangelove! I had to watch that it my film study class, it was pretty funny. And seeing Selina kick ass and get Holly out of Jail was fantastic. I feel bad for Slam though. His son has a kid with the love of his life. Selina really screwed Slam over in that respect.

Adrenaline

Catwoman (Volume 3) #56
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez
Cover by Adam Hughes

I just finished reading this issue and my heart was actually racing at the end. I really hope the baby is going to be okay. I felt my adrenaline pumping when Selina was racing to her apartment. Now that is a good read. This issue was full of shocking moments and this storyline is really coming to a great conclusion. I really hate Angle Man and the Film Freak and real villains, you are supposed to hate. These are two characters who could be really lame if brought under the wrong writer but Pfieifer makes them scary and dangerous. Besides the whole baby mess, the moment where Holly and Wildcat were fighting and Holly accidentally said her name made me happy, simply because I always wondered why heroes didn’t ever accidentally say the other heroe’s real name during combat. This shows that Holly is a rookie and needs work at being Catwoman. So yes, get this issue, it is suspenseful and exciting.

Three Felines in One Issue

Catwoman (Volume 3) #55
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez
Cover by Adam Hughes

This issue was good but it didn’t accomplish much. We still don’t know who is the father of Selina’s baby. Is it Bruce or is it Slam? I do hope it is Bruce but I have my doubts. Although I guess this is a great hook for the writer, the longer Pfeifer keeps the suspence going, the longer people will stay with the book. I am still really digging the film freak and all of his movie references. The Angle Man is just a bastard this issue and Pfiefer does a good job of making you hate him. There were also some funny moments when Selina puts on the costume and moments that show how Selina really is a good mother to the baby. The art was a little strange at times. For example, why does Selina have brown hair in some scenes? Doesn’t she have jet black hair? Also, she is shown with a blue costume in part of the issue. Her costume is black! I suppose that this is the fault of the colorists. Anyway, not much happens but I still enjoyed this issue and will be sticking around for more.

PS: Holly makes it seem like Wildcat is a better fighter than Selina. I just have to say if they were in a fight, I’d bet on Selina.

Holly Does Not Quite Meow For Me Yet

Catwoman (Volume 3) #54
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez
Cover by Adam Hughes

This issue continues the trend in the DCU of formerly lame villains becoming cool. This time it is Angle Man who gets the treatment. While not on the same level that Cat Man has become cool, Pfieifer does manage to make Angle Man much cooler than he ever was here. I do not think I have ever read anything else where these Lopez guys did the art but I must say I do like it. They should probably get more work. I am not so sure if I like Holly as Catwoman still, she just doesn’t seem Catwoman-like. She is too naieve and innocent, not enough femme fatale in her I guess. But I will give her a change to prove herself. Meanwhile, Selina is being a good mother of a baby whom I am not sure who the father of is. I am less convinced that it is Batman’s kid this time around for some reason. Not sure why I have changed my mind about that. I am excited about the introduction of Film Freak who since reading this I have learned is an old villain. I like him, he is creepy and in a way he reminds me of my love for films and trivia. (Accept I am no villain).

Bat-Baby Begins?

As you probably have noticed by now I decided to have each post have only a single review so I can link back to it later. I don’t know I figure it’ll be easier if I do it this way. So I may have several posts a day with different reviews not just one big post. Just FYI.

Catwoman (Volume Three) #53
Written by Will Pfeifer
Art by David Lopez and Alvaro Lopez
Cover by Adam Hughes

I think this title brought about one of the more shocking changes that one year later has to offer. Selina Kyle aka Catwoman has a baby. Not only that, but it is probably Batman’s baby too. I read another review where the guy swore that this issue implied it was not Batman’s kid but I don’t see that at all. The baby’s name is Helena and the earth-2 child of Batman and Catwoman’s name was Helena. Batman does not make it seem like it is not his child (nor does he act like it his child) so I think it is still a possibility that this is a bat-baby. This development is just fascinating to me and something I never would have predicted DC would do. Besides the baby stuff, I don’t know if I like Holly enough as a character or really know enough about her to really say if I like her as the new Catwoman. I think it fits in with Selina’s character though, if Selina had to choose a sucessor to her Catwoman persona it would definitely be Holly that she would choose. I would like to see where they go with this whole thing. This altogether is a good start for Catwoman one year later.