Comic Book Review: Batwoman #0

Literary & Artistic Credits

Writer: J.H. Williams III & W. Haden Blackman

Penciller: Amy Reeder & J.H. Williams III

Inker: Richard Friend

Colorist: Dave Stewart

Letterer: Todd Klein

Cover Art: J.H. Williams III

Editor: Mike Marts

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

Question for DC Comics…how does slapping a “zero” on the cover make an issue anymore important than if it were to just start as #1?

Don’t worry, I get it.  The “zero” helps to signify an introduction to a new title, allowing readers to know that the series hasn’t actually started yet.  But it helps to satisfy the awesome nerdgasms you hope your readers receive just by owning issue #0.  Well, Batwoman #0 does just that, but cuts off way to early for my tastes.

The story gives us no dialog between characters and relies on a motif of Bruce Wayne’s observational log as a way of following the mysterious Batwoman and her method of crime fighting.  As Batman stays hidden in the Gotham City sidelines, he attempts to discover the true identity of Batwoman.

Everything Katie Kane does, as far as her social life and crime fighting endeavors are concerned, is almost irrelevant to the inevitable conclusion.  I think we all knew that Kate is Batwoman just as easily as we knew Bruce Wayne was going to figure it out before the end of the 16 pages.  Interestingly enough, in taking on this task, Bruce displays one of his most defining attributes…his unrelenting need to protect the city of Gotham.  (He’s a good daddy.)  Surprising, though, is Wayne’s respect for the young woman’s tactile and hand-to-hand combat skills. 

I don’t pick up Detective Comics so I haven’t been following the vampiric looking, pale-faced bat during her time in said title, but I gathered a general impression that I think flows through into #0 very well which began with what had been established in Detective Comics.  Thanks to the writer-artist talents of Williams III and Amy Reeder, a mystical aura flushes rapidly through the pages and sets cleanly on my literary and artistic pallet.  The design of her costume, with the consistent toggle between color and black and white backgrounds helps with this feel and gives it, in many ways, a “Sin City” look.  While we are faced with a problem of knowing whose doing what with the art, and it being fairly confusing, a refreshing balance occurs when the styles switch from one artist to the next.  But the most visually appealing aspect of this book is the cover by J.H. Williams, and might very well be one of the best covers of 2010.

The big question I had in my mind throughout the entire prose was why Batman felt the need to uncover Batwoman’s identity, and more importantly, why he needed to know if it was Kate Kane or not.  The conclusion I came to was Bruce Wayne is just that type of superhero; making sure he knows everything about everyone, even if it means sitting behind while Batwoman gets her clock cleaned by a flock of the Religion of Crime gang.  (Which she walked away from without a scratch or bruise.  I know this negates the description of getting her “clock cleaned,” but I just wanted to use those two words in a sentence.  He he!)  This is neither a negative or positive aspect of the book, it’s just who Bruce Wayne is.

My biggest gripe about this issue is how I reached the middle of the book (you know, where the staples are visible?) and the story was over!  The comic then proceeds to give me a black and white preview of issue #1, which I hear isn’t due until February.  Not only that, but the first few pages of Detective Comics also trails at the end just like it has been doing in all the other comics coming out.  Why would I want to pay $2.99 for a comic that is only 16 pages long, contains a quarter of a comic I’ll most likely be paying either $2.99 or $3.99 for in February, and has a silly preview for Detective Comics at the end?  Very disappointing indeed.

My Majestically Climactic Conclusion

This new title shows promise.  I do hope the writing and artistry solidify into a much more focused and non-toggled appeal, but this is just me.  Batwoman certainly has become a hero to look for the future, hopefully Williams III can fling her into a fantastic beginning.

Rating: 8.66 out of 10

Writing: 7

Art: 9

Themes: 10 

Nerd News: Boston Comic Con Starts Today

And I can't go...snif snif....

Comic Book Review: Batman & Robin #9

Book Information

Written by Grant Morrison

Art by Cameron Stewart

Plot

Last month we were left with the terrifying image of Bruce Wayne (or so it would seem) ready to attack Damian Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth.  What has Dick Grayson unleashed into the world?  Is this in fact Bruce Wayne who is still suffering from the madness that comes along with being immersed into a Lazarus pit, or is it something else? 

Also, after only a few months of keeping Gotham City safe, is this the end for Batwoman as we know it?

My Thoughts

To be completely honest, there isn’t anything wrong with this issue in and of itself.  The parts of this book I do have problems with have nothing to do with the quality of the plotline and story.  The comic flows very well and produces some very interesting moments that gives a lot of potential to future storylines.  The problems I see in within the art and concept of the plot.

I’m absolutely, 100% NOT a fan of Cameron Stewart’s style of drawing, at least not in the comic book genre.  I can see his work doing quite well on Saturday morning cartoons or as a part of DC Kids, but for such a serious and dark comic, the art comes off as silly.  Of course, Tony Avina’s coloring techniques don’t assist the poor art quality either.  There are moments of brilliance however, in the way the orange light glows from the Lazarus pit while Batman gently drops Batwoman in the brightly colored pool.  It’s quite gorgeous and intricate, but that’s all that merits praise when it comes to Stewart’s art.

Speaking of Batwoman, I’m beginning to regret not picking up Detective Comics while she dominated the title.  With the cameos she made in the titles I’m reading, I’ve really enjoyed her presence.  She has a confidence that equals Wonder Woman and the attitude which reminds me of Power Girl.  Her addition into this story arc was very well handled and clever on Morrison’s part.

I see the necessity of having a Batman doppelganger, but having an insane Caped Crusader didn’t sit to well with me, at least not in the way Morrison portrayed it.  It seemed more of an excuse to let Grayson beat the crap out of a Bruce Wayne clone as a way of filling up pages.  Thankfully, the sequence did not last very long, however, the fight between the Batmen did produce one of the greatest moments in comic book history…

I hate Damien Wayne so this made my day.  I was so incredibly happy until Grayson had to ruin my happiness by swooping in to save the day. 

One thing I can’t understand is how Grayson figured out Bruce Wayne isn’t dead?  How was this doppelganger a hint that he is still alive?  Dick concluded that the doppelganger wasn’t Bruce, therefore he knows that that Bruce Wayne is still alive?  What?!?!  If someone can explain how this makes sense, please enlighten me!  DC, if you want to bring Bruce Wayne back so bad (which I think is a terrible idea to begin with) at least have Morrison make a comprehensible reasoning for it.

Overall

For the most part this issue was fun, but with all of the flaws, this comic really didn’t do me justice.  I hope Cameron Stewart gets off this title sooner rather than later.

Rating: 6 out of out of 10 stars

Next Issue Came March 10, 2010

Art sensation Andy Clarke (R.E.B.E.L.S., BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL) joins writer Grant Morrison for an exciting three-issue arc titled "Batman vs. Robin"! Why would Talia al Ghul manipulate her son Damian into taking action against Batman? Will Damian do as Mother says…or stay loyal to Dick Grayson? Plus, more on the Domino Killer, Oberon Sexton, and the menace of El Penitente's drug cartel! Is this already the end for the new Dynamic Duo?

Comic Book Review: Batman and Robin #8

Book Information

Written by Grant Morrison

Art by Cameron Stewart

Plot

Part 3 of Blackest Knight continues as Batman, Batwoman, Knight and Squire attempt the revival of Bruce Wayne.  Using the body found by Superman after the grueling battle with Darksied, The four heroes brace for the worst as the body begins to rise from the Lazarus Pit.  Is it Batman or an imposter?  Either way, strange things are definitely a foot in the United K!

My Thoughts

Apparently the body carried out by Superman after Darksied fell wasn’t Batman’s at all, but one of the many Batman clones meant to serve Darksied.  How Convenient, eh?  So will this become another Superman story, where after Superman’s death, clones of the last son of Krypton began to rise from the Earth?  Is Grant Morrison honestly trying to continue with his horrid Final Crisis story as a way of bringing Bruce Wayne back from the grave?  Currently Morrison is writing himself into a world filled with rehashed plot devices and poorly thought out conclusions.  I can accept the Lazarus Pit resurrection, but using clones in the story is pushing it for me.

Once the Bruce Wayne clone rises out of the pit, we the readers find ourselves observing a somewhat confusing fight sequence between Dick Grayson and Wayne’s clone.  I went back a number of times after finishing this issue trying to figure out which Batman was Grayson, but failed epically. I then came to the conclusion that it wasn’t something to get worried about seeing as how fight scenes in comics can always be confusing to look at, even when it’s between two very distinguishable characters.

Morrison does find a way to redeem this issue a little with his expansion on the Batwoman prophecy.  I haven’t done much research into the Batwoman character since I don’t pick up Detective comics.  However, what I do know of Batwoman is the mystical and prophetic shadow that follows her.  Her wish to die seemingly has something to do with the mystery surrounding her.  Morrison, while not truly revealing anything new, wrote this into the story very well and helped to amplify Batwoman’s character even further.

Cameron Stewart steps up his game with much more mature looking art.  Last issue had the aura of a children’s comic book, but containing very adult themes.  Dark Storylines written for kids have to be handled delicately or they become a huge mess of random, incoherent jargon.  (Take Twilight for example.)  But this issue feels so much more mature even with Stewart’s very round stylization, particularly in the faces.  I still find Stewart to be a little annoying as an artist, but it was a lot more tolerable with this issue.

Overall

Satisfactory, but not great.  Morrison is following his typical pattern of bad storytelling; starting off with a bang, but going off into “la la land” as the title progresses.  I’m cheering for Morrison to do well as this title is the best work in Grant Morrison’s writing repertoire, but this issue doesn’t bode well for him

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars

Next Issue Coming February 24, 2010

Part 3 of "Blackest Knight" guest-starring Batwoman, Knight and Squire! Only months into his new role as Batman, Dick Grayson faces perhaps the biggest threat of his life. In hopes of attaining his heart's desire, has Dick instead unleashed a terror the likes of which the world has never seen?
Meanwhile, back in Gotham City, Alfred and a recuperating Robin are at the mercy of someone both fearsome and familiar…

Comic Book Review: Batman and Robin #7

Book Information

Written by Grant Morrison

Art by Cameron Stewart

Plot

With the help of Britain’s equivalent to Robin, Squire, Batman goes on a hunt for a bomb hidden under the cities buildings and houses.  After jumping across a few boats, riding a top a few cars, and hopping on a motorcycle within the subway station, Batman and Squire find the bomb and the culprit responsible.  Apart from sailing overseas to the UK to assist in city wide threats, Batman has other motivation for visiting the Queens country.  Through much research and ingenuity on Grayson’s part, it is discovered that another Lazarus Pit, which has the power to bring back the dead, exists in the UK.  Only one thing is on Dick’s mind now…Bruce Wayne.

My Thoughts

Let’s be honest, the only person who has never come back from the dead in super hero comics is Uncle Ben.  As much as it pains me to say it, Bruce Wayne was going to rise from his grave, he has too big of a fan base for DC to just throw him out with the bath water and cry out “nevermore.”  However, I am glad to see Morrison taking a new approach and not reverting to the typical caught in time cop out that DC tends to rely on when reviving their heroes.  But truly I am saddened by this, Bruce Wayne was the last hero that hadn’t come back from the dead and it would have been nice to see DC stick with that.

Concerning the book itself, Morrison delivers another fine issue deep in the heart of British country.  New artist to the title Cameron Stewart brings his own flavor to a Gotham style UK with incredible accuracy and precision.  But where Stewart succeeds in personal style and talent, he fails in truly bringing the dark and gothic essence to the Batman reputation.  It was as if I was watching a Saturday morning cartoon where the characters faces are much rounder, child-like, and happy.  That type of art is good and I completely accept it as being worthy of being in the comic book field, however it does not serve the Batman world well, especially after that bang up job Frank Quietly did on that horrifically fabulous cover!

I did feel that the relationship between Squire and Batman was top notch, containing humor, persistence, loyalty, and everything that the current Robin, Damian Wayne are lacking.  I did feel that Knight, the British interpretation of Batman, was a little weak and lacking in interest.  But honestly, I might feel a little out of whack as well if I had a Prometheus style helmet bearing down on my skull.  But my interests were not peaked until the point where the four entered the cave with the Lazarus Pit.  No, wait…that’s not true.  Seeing Damian Wayne strung up by mechanical wiring and machinery in a Star Wars style life support system was pretty friggin hilarious!  (Does anyone like Damian anyway?)  The first half of the book was more or less a way of transitioning into Batman being in the UK and building up to the very interesting scene where the black glove of Batman splashes out of the pit in a fit of insanity.

One thing that I was enjoying about this title when it started out was how continuity was never an issue.  Issue one began fresh as if Bruce Wayne never existed and Dick Grayson was always Batman.  It kept referencing the fact that Bruce Wayne died, but it was enough for new readers to get the point.  Now we have the resurrection of Bruce Wayne, coupled by the introduction of Batwoman into this title, the freshness has now officially warn off and we’re back to two unnecessary Dark Knight titles.

Overall

Half of the book was ok, the other half was good.  Overall the book rates above average with me.  I’m actually quite excited to see if this truly is Bruce Wayne coming out of the pit, or if the body Superman carried out of Darksied’s lair was actually Batman’s. 

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars

Next Issue Coming February 10, 2010

BATMAN AND ROBIN double-ships in February with part 2 and 3 of "Blackest Knight" guest-starring Batwoman, Knight and Squire! Only months into his new role as Batman, Dick Grayson faces perhaps the biggest threat of his life. In hopes of attaining his heart's desire, has Dick instead unleashed a terror the likes of which the world has never seen?
Meanwhile, back in Gotham City, Alfred and a recuperating Robin are at the mercy of someone both fearsome and familiar…