Detective Comics 954 – 957

Detective Comics #954
Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Marcio Takara

I am not sure how I feel about Takara’s art but this was another magnificent issue. The League of Shadows are about to destroy Gotham City and Jacob Kane says no one could take them on and survive, not even Batman or Batwoman. Then Jacob asks who could? And we get a panel of Cassandra Cain ready to fight!!!! I love you as a writer James Tynion IV. I screamed with joy at that page.

Detective Comics #955
Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Marcio Takara

This was a fantastic issue filled with badass Cassandra Cain moments standing up to her mother, even declaring that she knews her ability to fight and not kill has to impress her mother even if she says it doesn’t. Tynion IV undestands my favorite character – the best character DC has to offer and I am eating this series up. The final page had me cheering again!

The Dark Knight Daughter

Detective Comics #953
Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Christian Duce

I recently asked Phil Jimenez on twitter if Linda Danvers could show up in his Superwoman run. His answer made it seem like all of the Rebirth creative teams will be changing soon. I hope he is wrong because DEAR GOD DC DO NOT TAKE TYNION OFF THIS COMIC. He is the best writer of Cassandra Cain in years. The only way I could be okay with that is if they said she gets to be Batgirl again. In this issue, Cassandra has to deal with the revalation of Lady Shiva being her mother. In the flashbacks to her training, Cassandra is able to speak some words. This was not true pre-flashpoint and it bothers me but perhaps it is a key to DC Rebirth and the missing ten years? Maybe she subconsciously remembers learning the language before the timeline change. That would be cool. The cover to this comic is not deceiving, she does fight Batman when he tries to stop her. She even goes as far to reject the name Cassandra because she wants nothing to do with her parents. Who could blame her? This is a character with murderous parents who instinctively knows murder is wrong. But Batman trying to calm her down made me so happy. It was the father-daughter relationship they had in Cassandra’s early days. Before DC stupidly had him abandon her during 52. There was no reason why she couldn’t have gone with them on their trip in 52 or Bruce would have put her in charge of Gotham and not Harvey Dent. It was years ago but I am still pissed about it. Cassandra finally confronts Lady Shiva who challenges her to fight her to the death, she wants to see her daughter try to kill. Cassandra refuses being the one true Batgirl and is beaten unconscious and left in the sewer by her mother. I hope we get to see Cass get her revenge for that soon.

The Real Batgirl Meets Her Mother (Again)

Detective Comics #952
Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Christian Duce

In this issue, Tynion IV once again shows me that this is without a doubt the best comic book DC is publishing. He consistently hits it out of the park with the team dynamics, characterization, and the exploration of what makes this Bat-family tick. Because yes despite what some writers have acted like the bat-family goes way beyond Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne. And as any reader of this blog knows the best bat-family character in my opinion is the one and only Cassandra Cain which this issue so wonderfully focuses on as Cassandra meets her mom Lady Shiva for the first time in this new timeline (or at least in her memory if this erased memory thing turns out to be true) and she is devastated by it. Lady Shiva acts completely evil to her, calling her refusual to kill pathetic, and saying she wish she had never known about what happened to her daughter. It was the final pages of this issue where Cassandra cries and Batman holds her that I knew Tynion understands the father-daughter relationship between these two characters. Like I said, Cassandra is the real Dark Knight Damsel and I hope this moment blooms into him once again adopting Cass in this continuity. Oh and the art is fantastic as usual.

Finally a Writer Who Respects DC’s Greatest Character

Detective Comics #951
Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Christian Duce

Without question this is the best series that DC is putting out right now. And I say that not just because it features Cassandra Cain but because she is now being featured heavily! Last issue she was the focus of the anniversary issue and now she is still a main player in the plot. This should be a regular thing I am used but this fan has missed her so much these last few years they took her away. It is so awesome to have her back and in a beautifully drawn well-written comic book with an amazing cast of characters. In this issue, it seems that the League of Shadows may be real and Lady Shiva (Cassandra’s mom) is part of them. Batman even admits to Batwoman he would lose if he had to face Cassandra Cain in a fight. DAMN! Tynion IV really respects her character and I respect him for it. Now Dc let’s get her in a batsuit ok?

 

Detective Comics 934-950

This is it…I am returning to DC after a 5 year absence. Now that DC Rebirth has brought back the original continuity without throwing the New 52…will these characters be the same as the ones I loved. Most of all, for this book, I care about Cassandra Cain. She is my favorite comic book character and in my opinion the one true Batgirl. AND she is finally a regular in a book again. Will this be the same Cassandra I know and love? I know she got reintroduced but is she really just the same character with the memories of her time as Batgirl erased by the evil Dan Didio…I mean Doctor Manhattan. Let’s find out as I explore Detective Comics Rebirth.

Detective Comics #934
Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Eddy Barrows

This was a great jumping back on point for old/new readers. I did not miss a beat. Batman discovers someone is targeting Gotham’s vigilantes and has recruited Batwoman to “train” them. (I do cringe at the idea that Cassandra needs training from Batwoman.) He finally reveals his secret identity to her and they are cousins. I always was annoyed the the Wayne-Kane connection was never explored pre-Flashpoint so I loved this moment. The first of the team we meet is Stephanie Brown former Batgirl and Robin but now back to her Spoiler idenity. The identity she should have remained. I like her, don’t get me wrong, but she should never have been allowed to take the mantle of Batgirl from Cassandra Cain.

After Steph, we see Tim Drake in a new Red Robin costume that evokes his classic Robin costume. Man it is good to see him look like that again. That was an amazing costume.

Finally, we get Cassandra and I love that her new costume evokes her original Batgirl costume but I am sorry it is not enough….she needs to have a bat emblem and be a real Batgirl again someday. As fan, we can’t just give up on that. She now calls herself Orphan. As cool as it is to have her full mask back, I still would prefer her pre-Flashpoint Black Bat identity than “Orphan.” Now besides this, Tynion IV writes her perfectly as the bad ass scary fighter she is but I just wish she could be that way in a Bat costume.

The final member of the team is Clayface which is an odd choice but okay we will see where it goes. Eddy Barrows’s art was beautiful…he has truly stepped up his game in five years and seems perfect for this book.

So ya….CASS IS BACK!

Detective Comics #935
Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Eddy Barrows

In this issue, Batwoman continues the training of the younger vigilantes. Meanwhile, Batman tells Tim he has always been Robin to him. So in this continuity was Tim never officillay Robin? If so, will he remember his time as Robin whenever the missing ten years gets restored or whatever? I sure hope so. I hope the same with the other characters too.

Cassandra is bad ass in this. I love how Steph says he just shows up and gets blood on the floor and is almost never home. We truly are getting old school Cassandra Cain back and I could not be happier…except if she was Batgirl again. That would be better.

Beautiful story and beautiful art. I feel Tynion IV truly gets these characters.

A Good Friend

Birds of Prey (Volume 2) #6
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Alvin Lee and Adriana Melo

 

The Huntress shows just how good of a friend she is by deciding to fight Lady Shiva in the place of Dinah. This is pretty much suicide and I loved the moment where she turns to God – Helena has always been a strict Catholic and Simone really got her characterization well here (as she always does) and it was great to see Sin again and I am glad she is alive and well. Can’t wait to see what the next arc will be like!

At Least The Question Has No Eyes And Doesn’t Have To See This Art

 

The Question #37
Written by Greg Rucka and Denny O’Neil
Art by Denys Cowan

Better late than never, this is my review of the Question resurrected for an issue. I never read O’Neil’s Question series but I have heard good things….I don’t know if I want to read it after reading this issue. The story was good and it looks like Vic Sage has a much more interesting back-story then I thought but the fact of the matter is I can not stand the art, it kills my eyes. I know that will make me unpopular around the blogosphere but I hope that Cowan wasn’t this awful when this series was around.

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.

Birds of Prey 108 and 109

Birds of Prey #108
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Nicola Scott

Gail Simone’s final issue on this title is a tear jerker. You really feel that the writer is saying goodbye to her characters this issue. I don’t even know how to explain how good this issue is. Just read it. Characters from Simone’s entire run come back to defend Oracle against Spy Smasher. The “core team” cries together as they say their goodbyes and we find out who Misfit really is. It was amazing. Gail, thanks for making Birds of Prey a great read through your entire run.

Birds of Prey #109
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Nicola Scott

Bedard begins his fill-in run with this issue. This was a very enjoyable read that I believe lives up to what Simone has done with this book. Oracle and Black Canary discuss the Green Arrow-Black Canary relationship and I like how Oracle basically says she shouldn’t marry him. It was a nice way of looking back at each character’s histories. There were some major continuity error though, the use of the Ventriloquist when Batgirl was around (he didn’t come about until after she was crippled) and the mention that Connor’s mother was Shado. Shado was not Connor’s mother. Other than those errors, this was a great issue. My personal favorite about it must have been Big Barda playing with Pokemon Cards! Oh and this tied into Countdown perfectly.

Birds of Prey 95 – 99

Birds of Prey #95
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Joe Prado

This issue marks the conclusion to the first one year later story arc and I must say I think it ended perfectly. Some may be dissapointed that the Birds did not actually take down prometheus, but let’s face it, if they did it would be completely unrealistic. He is just too powerful for them to stop. I also think Sin will be a welcome addition to the supporting cast and seeing Dinah try to be a mother should be interesting. I like this issue.

Birds of Prey #96
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Paulo Sequeira

Okay this issue started off great, we finally see a Ted Kord memorial and some funny banter between the birds. But then, Black Alice shows up and I just get all confused. Why is Black Alice mad at the Birds of Prey? When did she go into Prison? Simone should really have explained this better. And the last scene is just shocking…but it can’t be for real? Can it? Is Barbara Batgirl again?

Birds of Prey #97
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Paulo Sequeira

The Black Alice storyline concludes quite nicely. Black Alice gets her mom back and everything ends up dandy for her. Yet, I am worried about this whole Barbara Batgirl thing. Personally, I still am a little angry about what DC did to Cassandra Cain and bringing Barbara back as Batgirl would be just another slap in the face to Cassie fans. We will see where this goes.

Birds of Prey #98
Written by Gail Simone
Art by James Raiz and Robin Riggs
Cover by Jerry Ordway

Okay thanks god Barbara is not this new mysterious Batgirl. Instead it is some crazed teenaged metahuman who somehow knows Barbara, Dinah, and Helenas’ real names. I wonder who this nutjob is? I love the cover of this issue and how it acts as homage to the cover where Barabara first debuted as Batgirl. I just am so happy that Barbara isn’t Batgirl in this issue.

Birds of Prey #99
Written by Gail Simone
Art by James Raiz and Robin Riggs
Cover by Jerry Ordway

This was a surprisingly sad issue. Barbara shows the wannabe Batgirl why it is not good to just jump into becoming a superhero (aka the spoiler’s death and Barabara’s own handicapp) and the Black Canary, after 99 issues, decides to leave the team. Simone write a great moment between Dianah and the others as she says goodbye. After reading this issue, I got an overwhelming feeling that the Birds of Prey was entering its next era. While it is sad, I do believe that it is time for Dinah to move on. It looks like no only is she leaving the team but she is also retiring the Black Canary mantle. I doubt for good though. This was a great issue.

From the Worst To One of the Best

Birds of Prey #93
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Paulo Siqueira and Robin Riggs
Cover by Terry and Rachel Dodson

This is a vast improvement from the previous issue. And I mean crazy vast! This was a great issue. SO MUCH STUFF HAPPENED WITH SO MANY GREAT MOMENTS. I love the addition of Gypsy. I love the little girl. I just really loved this issue. The crime doctor’s daughter was hilarious and I actually like the addition of Lady Shiva now. I don’t completely understand why Black Canary and her switched places but I suppose I will find out in time. This issue was also action packed and I am really looking forward to the next issue. Great Job, Gail!

Favorite OYL Title

Robin #149
Written by Adam Beechen
Art by Karl Kerschl and Wayne Faucher
Cover by Ed McGuinness and Dexter Vines

The previous issue of this series was reviewed here. Adam Beechen once again fails to dissapoint in this issue. Robin is quickly becoming my favorite of the one year later titles. It has so many great moments and I am just eating it all up. I hope Adam will get some recognition for this as his run so far has gotten a very positive reaction. I really think this will go down as the best run on Robin ever. Even better than Dixon! (Although it is really much too early to tell) The scene with Robin sneaking into the police department was done so well. You really find yourself praying that Robin will figure out how to not get caught. So this review will be short because I do not have much to say because it was great!

Blah but Not Blah

Birds of Prey #92
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Paulo Siqueira and Robin Riggs
Cover by Terry and Rachel Dodson

This was probably the most dissapointing of the one year later issues. That is probably why it has taken me this long to review it. If this was not one year later, I would have said this was a decent issue. But with the one year later debuts, I expected great issues and this was too blah. I am surprised because this book is usually pretty good. It really just didn’t get me excited enough. Sure it had new developments but for some reason, they really did not interest me. Lady Shiva is now calling herself the Jade Canary and is a Bird of Prey. The Jade Canary just doesn’t sound right and I am not sure why Lady Shiva would even call herself that. She does not wear an Jade colored clothes. Her name is not Jade. So why is she calling herself that? I also find it hard to believe that Barabara Gordon would ever turn her back on Dinah like she is shown to have done, but I will leave that up to Gail to explain later. Maybe she will be able to convince me. I do like how Gail has expanded the Birds of Prey from what was basically a partnership when Gail first took over the book to a full fledged team. There are now four memebers of the team: Oracle, The Jade Canary, The Huntress, and Lady Blackhawk. This issue hints that Gypsy will become a member soon which will bring the total to five and if Dinah ends up returning to the team it will bring the membership up to six. I do like this as bringing more characters in can create interesting storylines we couldn’t have with just the original two. I am interested to learn more about Gypsy as my only exposure to her character was in the old JLI when Despero murdered her family. I always thought that was a shocking moment in a book that was never all that serious so it stuck in my mind. So while this issue was blah, I still want to read more.