4.5 Razors

Batgirl #24

/ / Comics

batgirl-24-coverWriter Bryan Q. Miller’s run on Batgirl comes to an end. Barbara Gordon may be back in the Batsuit starting next month, but Miller sends out Stephanie Brown out in style with almost everything you’d could ask for. Issue #24 includes a terrific final page that not only neatly wraps up the series, and says goodbye to the character, but also fits so naturally into the tone of a comic that’s been one of DC’s best for two years now.

He even manages to squeeze in a cameo for Damian. I’m just sad he didn’t have 20 extra pages to say goodbye to all of Stephanie’s friends and supporting cast as well.

The issue begins with Batgirl confronting her father, the Cluemaster, who’s been behind the Reapers since the beginning and has transformed the Black Mercy into a weaponized hallucinogen. We see the aftereffects of the drug on Stephanie’s system later (in some terrific full-page panels by Pere Pérez), but not before Miller delivers a heartwarming scene between Steph and her mother who has discovered, and come to terms with, Stephanie’s latest alter-ego.

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Batgirl #24 Read More »

Is this the end for the Secret Six?

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secret-six-36-coverYou know you’re in trouble when Ragdoll is the voice of reason. On the eve of Bane‘s plan to take on Batman by attacking those closest to him the team begins to fray as they are surrounded by heroes who have followed the Penguin‘s tracker to the abadoned warehouse the Secret Six is using as its temporary base.

In an attempt to end things quickly Huntress calls in favors and brings in everybody, and I do mean everybody, to take the Six down, but as Huntress realizes far too late this isn’t the team to back down against an overwhelming show of force. As Ragdoll points out this team only has one redeeming virtue: they simply don’t know when to quit. That’s one lesson they never learned.

The Secret Six aren’t just another super-villain team. As screwed up as they all are there’s something noble about a group who will fight for each other, against all odds, knowing the chance of actually winning is impossibly high. And in this final issue Gail Simone let’s them go out Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid style.

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Is this the end for the Secret Six?Read More »

Is this the end for the Secret Six? Read More »

The Spirit #16

/ / Comics

the-spirit-16-coverDC Comics may be going through a turbulent period right now but that’s not stopping them from continuing to put out some pretty good work. I’ve been a fan of this latest version of The Spirit by David Hine, but I’ve got to say this issue just blew me away. It’s one of the best comics I’ve read all year.

The first half of the issue is presented entirely from Commissioner Dolan‘s perspective as he prepares to arrest The Spirit for a grizzly series of mob killings all of which lead back to the hero. The second-half of the comic involves The Spirit relating his investigation to bring the real killer to justice. For a comic that’s almost all flashbacks it’s a mighty fine read.

I’m also thrilled with the art by Jean Paul Leon who manages to spice up the pages with great artwork including quite a few panels Will Eisner would be proud of by working the title of the comic, and hero, seamlessly into every single page. Must-read.

[DC, $2.99]

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New Avengers #14

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New Avengers 14I’ve been lukewarm to the entire Fear Itself storyline, but this is the first tie-in that I’ve really liked. And it’s not only because it manages to summarize the entire summer event in a single panel (though it does, marvelously). It’s because this is simply a darn good story, even if it is tied to an event I care little or nothing about. And even more unlikely, it’s centered around a character I’ve never given two shits about.

The entire issue is centered around Mockingbird coming to grips with being alive, reuniting with her New Avenger teammates, and trying her new found abilities out on Nazi robots. Yeah, that’s right, Nazi robots!

It seems Mockingbird was saved from certain death by a combination of some leftover version of Super Soldier Serum (which made Steve Rogers into Captain America) mixed with the Infinity Formula (which made Nick Fury effectively immortal) transforming a throwaway character into a possible major player in the Marvel Universe. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m intrigued to see what will happen to the character next.

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New Avengers #14 Read More »

Batgirl #23

/ / Comics

Batgirl #23After returning from her short European adventure Batgirl jumps right back into action as the Reapers come out in force. How do you take on a small army of sociopaths in armored suits? If you’re Stephanie Brown you call in a few friends.

I love this comic. Seriously, the one thing I’ve been wanting for Stephanie Brown is to have her own team (like the Teen Titans). And writer Bryan Q. Miller gives me everything I asked for and more. It may be for only and handful of pages, but damn it’s good. It’s a shame the DC reboot is going to kill this team after only a single adventure.

As awesome as this final battle is (with a damn fine cliffhanger as Batgirl discovers the shocking identity of the man behind the Reapers’ attacks), there are also a couple of nice contemplative moments as Steph deals with the death of the Grey Ghost and her of conversations with her favorite GCPD Detective.

Pick this issue up. My only complaint is there’s only a single issue left, but I have a feeling Mr. Miller is going to have Stephanie Brown go out in style. I would expect nothing less. Must-read.

[DC, $2.99]

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