Batman and Batgirl #21

Batman and Batgirl #21 

Peter J. Tomasi: writer
Cliff Richards: guest penciller
Mark Irwin with Mario Alquiza: guest inkers

Solicitation & Preview

Review
There is just something about Batgirl that I'm not liking. She just comes off as a whiny, depressed person. I thought it might have just been how she is portrayed in her own book, but Tomasi pretty much nails the same feel that I got from Batgirl's book with this comic.

I just don't understand why the story took that path that it did. The bargain that this story refers to involves Batgirl offering to take up the Robin mantle. That just isn't something that comes across as genuine in this comic, or just for how I would expect Batgirl to act. Yes, Barbara wants Bruce to get over his grief, and she does have some insight into how the Robin role works within the Batman/Robin relationship, but the offer just rings hollow.

In the pages before the offering, we get a glimpse into the world of Batgirl and why she doesn't have her symbol on her chest anymore. For the most part, she came across as a very doubting, very weak character. From what I get, Barbara sees the Robin role as a step above what she is doing. But it shouldn't be that, she should be her own person, much in the same vein as Nightwing or Batwoman works.

These guest characters issues have been a little hit or miss for me. So far, this has been the one I enjoyed the least. not only are we missing Gleason's wonderful artwork (although the guest team doesn't do too bad, they just aren't Gleason), but I haven't really seen Batman's path to getting over Damian make a move in any direction. Unless the steps are so small that I can't notice them unless I read multiple issues in a row, it is just starting to feel like we are having a tour of the Bat-supporting characters in a book that is better than that.

I just want to make a side note that Batman's gloves in this comic come across at times like the gloves worn by Jean Paul Valley in the Knightfall story line. Was it done on purpose, or is that a bigger thing? Also, between this comic and the regular Batgirl series, I think I just am not a fan of the New 52 Batgirl.

Grades
Words: 6/10
Pictures: 6/10
General Feeling After Reading: Bah.
Buy Next Issue: Catwoman is up next, so this ought to be interesting.

The X-Files Season 10 #1

The X-Files: Season 10 #1 

Story by Joe Harris with Chris Carter
Written by Joe Harris
Art by Michael Walsh

Solicitation & Preview

Review
Yea, I'm game for this book.

I was a fan of the show from way back when. I haven't had the time or inkling to re-watch it on Netflix just because I think I'll find it horribly dated. But brand new adventures in comic book form with an artist I like? Now this is something I can get into.

This series has a clever way of scaling back things to keep the feel of the early years of the TV show. No big alien plans of grandeur or anything like this, let's keep things simple with a nice set up and execute the story well.

There are a few points of creepiness that the art really sells for me. One is the look on the little girl's face as she talks with Scully and the off-tilt with her head just hits that button that activates the hairs on the back of my neck to stick up.

I read through the book with the eye of a new-comer to the series and let's just say that even though it says Season 10 on the cover, this is a story that does a great set up and hits all the points that it needs to when informing readers of who each character is and what runs their motivation.

I'll give this to Joe Harris as well - I easily heard each character's voice as I read the story. Between the vernacular and just the rhythm to their words, I felt very much like this is a great continuation. Throw in the great artwork by Walsh and this book honestly couldn't have been better. This book is easily going to be added to the pull list.

Grades
Words: 10/10
Pictures: 10/10
General Feeling After Reading: Bring me more X-Files!
Buy Next Issue: Definitely.

Comics! Bedlam #7

Bedlam #7

Story: Nick Spencer
Art: Ryan Browne

Preview and Solicitation

Review
I got the chance to meet Ryan Browne at C2E2 a few months back. He had been announced that he was the incoming artist for Bedlam and I wished him well. As a special treat, he let me see a snapshot of the pencil work he had done for Bedlam.

Damn, I was impressed.

He has his own work at http://www.godhatesastronauts.com which I highly recommend for everyone to check out.

Now I get to see his work here in full color. Granted, Riley Rossmo is a hard act to follow in my opinion, and Browne has a very different style than Rossmo, but Browne keep the with the style that Rossmo brought to the book. It succeeds a little bit, but I wonder how Browne would have done this with his own take that could present something more on a thematic level with the art that we have been used to seeing. Something that could gross you out, but still make you appreciate the artwork.

For example, the moment that Madder Red has the two heads "kiss," felt rough, but not so much disturbing for what was being shown. It might just be how to approach the art, but to be fair, I don't see how Rossmo would have pulled off the same scene without it feeling more or less the same.

The story is that Rossmo left the book due to creative differences with Spencer, which I can kinda see going here. There is something a little different on the book. I can't quite place my finger on it, but there is a small shift in tone that was interesting to see.

The story almost takes a page from the first issue of the series, which is to travel back to the time when Madder Red was still crazy. Another part of the story focus on killing off several characters that get introduced in the beginning of the book as well. It just felt a little unbalanced with spending about a third of the book on introducing those characters just for an introduction of some out of focus close up of the next big bad. It will be interesting to see if maybe the next issue can sorta expand on this front and take the story somewhere that is just a little more.

One thing I did notice about the art, and this isn't necessarily a complaint as it sounds, but Redmond didn't appear in his drugged out and stoned expression self. There seemed to be a little more emotion out of Redmond that what has appeared in previous issues. Take a look at his reactions to seeing the hallucination in the TV, and how he shows a little more emotion in front of the detective than he used to. I don't know if that is a sign of his slow unraveling or something that was done artistically different than the previous artist. It is interesting to note, and I wonder if something will become of it.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 7/10 - Rossmo is a hard act to follow, but this was much better than I expected.
General Feeling After Reading: Intrigued, but not entirely devoted.
Buy Next Issue: I'm game for some more. Let's see where the adventure takes us.

Comics! Ten Grand #1

Ten Grand #1 

Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Illustrated by Ben Templesmith

Preview and Solicitation

Review
JMS shilled for DC Comics, effectively making the argument that corporate comics are the way to go and that Before Watchmen would herald in the new dawn of comics.

Well, not exactly those words, but the man do voice his opinion pretty heavily. Basically, boo hoo for Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons that they don't technically own Watchmen and kudos to DC for willing to put forth a prequel for something they own. Moore could have made Watchmen books anytime and simply didn't so DC decided to move ahead and let others write and draw it, Moore' permission be damned. And then he gave his finger to fans and trotted off with DC's money in his back pocket.

Or something like that.

I really did not want to pick up this book due to JMS' position on Before Watchmen. Fuck him. As a person who prides himself on creator-owned work, I never understood what he, or any creator on Before Watchmen, could gain by shilling for DC.

But then Ben Templesmith was listed as the artist for this book so I had to give it a try. Me likes Templesmith.

On its own merits, this book isn't half bad. A nice setup, some basic understanding of what kind of situation the main character is in and some of the world around him. The one thing that got me is that instead of showing just a normal case for the guy to handle, JMS decides that this book will about a case that got away. Interesting choice, but still one that works.

Templesmith on art. Need I say more? I do? Ok, it is great. The coloring and mood in each panel is perfectly laid out. Templesmith has an energy and talent for taking something that drawn by another artist would look gory as can be. Under Templesmith's hand, it looks like a beautiful painting that doesn't make you loose your lunch, but instead appreciate the uniqueness of this artist's hand.

But from the point of view that JMS is an asshole, there just isn't enough there for me to keep going, even if it would help make Templesmith a little more coin so he can continue his work.

I'm going to have a hard time backing the work of any creator who worked on Before Watchmen. It just doesn't seem right to back anyone who I felt betrayed the sense of creator-owned work that was Watchmen.

Grades
Words: 5/10
Pictures: 9/10
General Feeling After Reading: Shame.
Buy Next Issue: If this didn't have JMS' name on it, I would in a heartbeat.

Comics! The Wake #1

The Wake #1

Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Sean Murphy

Preview and Solicitation

Review
Damn, I can't find my copy of Michael Crichton's Sphere. Do I have anything like it lying around? Wait, what is this comic in my hands?

Yeah. I'm going there.

I don't know if Snyder and I just grew up reading the same things, but seriously, this is a page out of Sphere. For those who don't know about the book, Sphere follows a man who gets convinced by the military to visit a military complex in the bottom of the ocean and help study something alien that they find. Other members of the expedition are all specialists in their respective fields who were convinced to come down as well by various means.

And there you have the basic plot presented so far in The Wake.

But I'm conflicted here, because I'm enjoying Sean Murphy's art. At least when I can see it. I actually did a word count for one panel that was crowded with words. 57. in one panel. Sorry, but that needs to be broken up a little bit. I understand some exposition is needed, but Murphy knows how to use his art to tell a story. After just seeing him nicely handle putting speech bubbles in his own art in Punk Rock Jesus, I'm a little bit spoiled.

I will say that I'm liking the color added to Murphy's art. Matt Hollingsworth deserves all the credit for it. The color palette throughout the story was balanced and evoked just the right mood for each panel.

I think I may stick with this book for a bit. I'm a fan enough of Murphy's to follow along, and I hope that something happens in the story that is unpredictable. At least I could flip through the book and know what is going on from just the art alone.

Grades
Words: 5/10
Pictures: 9/10
General Feeling After Reading: Curious.
Buy Next Issue: I'll throw down.

Comics! Five Weapons #4

Five Weapons #4 

Created, written, illustrated, and lettered by Jimmie Robinson

Preview and Solicitation

Review
I must say that this series has been amazing to read. Each character is well defined, it showcases amazing action, and I just don't want it to stop.

Unfortunately, this is the penultimate issue of the series. It makes me want to cry.

The setup for this series has been done masterfully. This book is considered an all-ages book, but it something that is smart enough that isn't dumbing down the story for kids and isn't being completely adult oriented. It is just spot on.

I could sort of see where the twists were coming from in the story, but it is still a joy to read. It is a strange feeling of having a somewhat predictable storyline, but still being surprised by the way it is being played out. I credit not only the art, but each and every word that is carefully considered when it was put into this story.

Jimmie Robinson has something really good going on here. I hate that the next issue is the last, but maybe we can see more from him or from this world in another setting.

Grades
Words: 9/10
Pictures: 9/10
General Feeling After Reading: Excited.
Buy Next Issue: Bring on the next issue!

Comics! Red Hood and the Outlaws Annual #1

Red Hood and the Outlaws Annual #1 

Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Al Barrionuevo

Preview and Solicitation

Review
I gotta say, I like the direction the book is headed. Let's get more into the heads of the other characters besides Red Hood. It is a nice approach I didn't see too much of in the earlier issues.

I am tired of one thing: bounties on the heads of Robins. For the same amount.

That's right, there is a bounty on the heads of all of the Outlaws, which is the driving point of this issue. But the fact that Damian just got away with a bounty on his head makes me wonder when one will be put on Tim and Dick. Yeesh.

One thing I do like about this artist - he manages to make Star Fire look beautiful while not emphasizing certain female parts of her. But then the villain for the issue does manage to have a lot of panty showing moments. Sigh.

Seeing Roy next to a young looking Green Arrow really makes me wonder why Wally West isn't along for the ride in the new 52. Roy and Oliver look like they could be brothers or twins. Which is just weird to see in general with these two.

I'm glad we got to have the whole Green Arrow fight come along and really get into some of Roy's past. And so far the big reset button on Jason's memory is working for me as well. And it looks like it will be around for a bit. Until the next Bat-crossover at least.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 7/10
General Feeling After Reading: Satisfied.
Buy Next Issue: I'm surprised to say yes, I will be getting it. Things are getting interesting.