Batman

Batman • Superman – World’s Finest #2

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The Justice League is under attack. With the help of the Doom Patrol, Batman is able to save Superman from the Kryptonite poisoning he was infected with in the series’ first issue. However, that’s just a start as the pair jump back into action to start saving the rest of the heroes beginning with Felix Faust‘s attack on a defenseless Billy Batson (although the evil magician doesn’t know the true reason why he’s hunting a small child he has prevented from speaking).

With the introduction of Supergirl, Batman • Superman – World’s Finest #2 also begins a B-story sending Kara and Robin back in time to learn more about an immortal ancient Chinese warlord known as The Devil Nezha who has some connection to current events (but I’ll admit being a bit confused by it all). There’s obviously some tension between the two younger heroes, that isn’t explained, but makes for some fun back-and-forth. 

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Shadow War: Alpha #1

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DC’s nine-issue crossover event Shadow War begins here with the assassination of Ra’s al Ghul just as the ecological terrorist had decided to turn himself in and look for more peaceful means to remake the world. His public death, apparently caused by Deathstroke, leaves no remains for a Lazarus Pit and a ticked off Talia al Ghul out for revenge.

While Deathstroke maintains his innocence, the League of Assassins isn’t in any mood to listen. Nor is Robin, back in Gotham to have words with his father, in any mood for mercy. The arc, which will move through various Batman titles before finishing up in Shadow War: Omega #1, will focus on solving the motives and identity of the killer. But to have any chance at the truth, first Batman will have to save Deathstroke from the army descending on him (which probably won’t earn him any points with his son).

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Batman • Superman – World’s Finest #1

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Batman and Superman (and Robin!) are back together in a new World’s Finest team-up that gives me Batman in his classic 70s & 80s costume (with some unnecessary seams, seriously what is DC’s fetish with adding seams to all its heroes costumes?). Our main story features Poison Ivy and Metallo attacking Metropolis and Batman and Robin showing up to help the Man of Steel who ends up getting injected with Red Kryptonite.

The comic goes off in multiple directions here with a separate team-up between the Man of Steel and the Dynamic Duo and also the addition of the Doom Patrol to help with an out-of-control Superman. There are some aspects of the story I enjoy, including character designs and Dan Mora’s art, although once Superman gets infected (which seems to be where the comic’s main storyline will be focused going forward) things bog down a bit.

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The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #12

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The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries wraps up with the twelfth and final issue offering a smorgasbord of Bat-villains and Bat-Family characters to go off with a bang. It seems nearly all of Batman’s villains have gathered just outside of Gotham City for a convention when Mystery, Inc. arrives confused by all the oddness until stumbling into a ball room complete with everyone from the Joker to the Condiment King. And with so many villains, of course the extended Bat-Family also crashes the party.

While there’s not much mystery here, there’s certainly lots of fun including Catman vs. Catwoman (with puns!). Even Calendar Man and Bat-Cow make appearances. And, of course, there’s only one character who would ever bring such chaos together offering a nice nod to Batman: The Brave and The Bold to end the series with a big win for our heroes.

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The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #12 Read More »

Batman #121

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Batman #121 wraps up the odd three-issue Batman Incorporated arc with Batman revealing to Lex Luthor and Abyss that the various members of Batman, Inc. have been secretly working undercover this entire time (including framing themselves for murder) to get close to Abyss and expose some of Lex Luthor’s shenanigans. Oh, and since they never actually signed contracts to work for Luthor (seems like a pretty big oversight), he has no control over the group. To call the reveal awkward doesn’t really do it justice.

In any case, the members of Batman, Inc. switch sides and stand with Batman against Abyss. The comic limps home to a finish with Batman tracking the escaping villain and by teasing the next big arc for Batman on his return home with a cameo by Deathstroke and the latest version of the Secret Society of Super-Villains.

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