Comics! Batwoman #13

Batwoman #13 

J.H. Williams III: Co-writer. Artist.
W. Haden Blackman: Co-writer.

The Solicitation

• Batwoman and Wonder Woman team up!

• Batwoman and Wonder Woman team up! (We’re so excited we had to say it twice!)


Preview

Why I Bought It
Two things intrigued me, Williams back on art, and Wonder Woman appearing. And the last issue, #0, was pretty strong. Let's see what we got.

What I Liked
As with Batwoman and J.H. Williams III, you have to sit back and appreciate the art. First and foremost, that is what this book brings best. You can certainly see why he was tapped for art duties on the upcoming Sandman book.

This book did surprise me a little though. This felt like I was in the middle of a story line, and that very well could be. I didn't pick up issue #12, and I knew this probably wouldn't be a continuation of issue #0, but one could only hope. But I will give writing credit where it is due, this book just rocked it. That was something that I found very lacking in previous issues, especially when trying to have six stories going on at once. Some subplots were explored, but not at the expense of the main story. And you felt like you got enough from the main story to feel like something was told.

You can tell just from the art that Wonder Woman is drawn just differently enough to make her stand apart from Batwoman. It definitely gives you the feel that Wonder Woman is out of her element and Batwoman would be more suited to this world, even though Batwoman's voice tells you different.

What I Didn't Like
The solicitation for this comic sucked. Simply stating 'Batwoman and Wonder Woman team up!' twice does not make for an enticing read.

But outside of that, I dug the writing and the art was stellar. There isn't much I could say that was bad about this book except for the ending which just came abruptly in the middle of meeting a new character. While I am certain that this book will read better when you sit down with all the issues in a row, I just don't like it that  the book ended on this note. It was rather good up until this point as well.

Panel to Remember
I'm going with the two page spread filled with worms and words. I can see where, if this was some one's first comic featuring Williams, they would get lost in that artwork and words. Hell, it even took me a moment or two to follow the flow. But it works surprisingly well to get across how the character feels through the artwork, even though they are on the page.

Quotable
"I will bloody you beat you until you are tender to eat." - Nyx. Sounds delicious. And something I'm saying to the next pound of ground beef I cook up.

Grades
Words: 8/10
Pictures: 10/10
Buy Next Issue: I hesitate a bit, but I think if next issue stays as strong in the writing department, then I may start bringing in Batwoman back into the regular buy pile.

Comics! Ex Sanguine #1

Ex Sanguine #1 

Script by Joshua Scott Emmons and Tim Seeley
Art by Tim Seeley

The Solicitation
One’s a natural born killer—a remorseless hunter restlessly prowling the night for victims to quench an unnatural bloodlust. The other’s a vampire. A bored vampire. His centuries of existence have left him world weary and detached, until one day his thirst is reinvigorated when the deadly and intricate work of the Sanguine Killer catches his eyes.

Preview

Why I Bought It
Having been intrigued by Tim Seeley with Revival, I decided to check this out to see if it was going to be good or not. So, going in blind, I turn the page.

What I Liked
There be vampires here. And with that, I'm sorta putting some distance with the book. But then again, the art hits what it needs to without being too fancy. And it has the same feel as Revival. There is something about the characters that make it interesting and make you want to read more. The story is balanced with the art, because if the art was anything beyond this style, it could tip the book into bad territory.

What I Didn't Like
Eh, vampires. Each time a new writer approaches them then there is a new set of rules with how vampires will work in the story. Certain traits and vampire stereotypes all come out to play. It is almost like you have to bring out the checklist and just keep ticking off what they will use for this story. Don't worry, zombie books also go through the same thing. Being a fan of bad horror movies, I feel like I've seen them all.

I really liked the cover to this book. It was the coloring that made it stand out on the comic shelf. Then I saw Seeley's name and decided to give it a go. Now if the coloring for the cover was the same on the inside, that would make it a little more appealing to me. As it stands now, I get the same horror type of feel from the same writer with similar art over at Revival. And for a buck less. This might be a story that I will prefer to trade wait for, or get discounted as a digital comic sometime.

Panel to Remember
For me, the magic moment came when Saul was standing in front of all the books that he wrote himself. It just covers a bookshelf. and the idea that he only reads what he writes... That is something that shows a person completely cut off from the rest of the world.

Quotable
"There is no manner of earthly evil that still surprises me, my son." - the priest in the diner. There something meta I felt about that, but not necessarily in a bad way for this book.

Grades
Words: 7/10
Pictures: 7/10
Buy Next Issue: I'll wait, but I would still say it was worth giving it a try.

Comics! Punk Rock Jesus #4

Punk Rock Jesus #4 

Sean Murphy

The Solicitation
A devastating loss pushes Chris to the brink. Feeling betrayed and alone, he begins to research the world that Slate and OPHIS have kept him from his entire life. Armed with new knowledge, a new haircut, and a new attitude, an angry Chris is about to tell the whole world the truth. And it all starts after he discovers a few old records in Thomas’s room...

No Preview

Why I Bought It
I was hooked onto the series after issue #2. Going with it until the end, then will probably strongly recommend it to others. Let's see what I'll be bragging about.

What I Liked
Each issue of Punk Rock Jesus has just been packed with story. Every panel and every page has to mean something, and it all just hits home here.

We finally have the title character make an appearance that has been building since issue #1. If you seriously didn't think that the image on the last page of this book would be included in this series, then you have a serious rude awakening when you flip to it.

Since this issue didn't build on the angels that appeared in this issue by having them appear again, it really hammers home the idea that this book is grounded in reality and what Gwen saw in the previous issue was a hallucination. More than likely, Slate had some hand in that going down, just like he did in Gwen's death.

And just as we are developing Chris into a full grown character, we get to see some of Thomas' history as well. Just the pace that the book goes through in telling that while it mirrors Chris' story is just going to come together in the end and you know it is will a great ending.

Once again, we have magnificent visuals. Like I said, every panel has to count when trying to tell this story at this pace, and the moments when it is there to shine it does and when it needs to take a moment to have you look at the details it hits it there as well. The name of the book is what originally brought me in, but it is the artwork and story that is making me a fan of Sean Murphy.

What I Didn't Like
There wasn't much that I didn't like. This is a comic that is right up my alley with a story I enjoy and art that I am looking forward to each month.

Panel to Remember
There are two panels on the same page that use a reflective surface in black and white art that is just amazing. The fact that you can see Slate's reaction as he stands over Gwen's body is just perfect. That sticks with you. And the one right below it where Chris' reaction is also reflected shows that there is a turning point at this moment. Ultimately, this is where Slate wanted things to go to. Now it will be interesting to see how Chris takes over the reigns here.

Quotable
"Wow, I've never had a camera in my face before!" - Dripping with sarcasm.

Grades
Words: 9/10
Pictures: 10/10
Buy Next Issue: Sold!

Comics! Batman #13

Batman #13

Scott Snyder: writer
Greg Capullo: pencils
Jonathan Glapion: inks
James Tynion IV: writer - backup
Jock: artist - backup

The Solicitation

• The Joker returns in “DEATH OF THE FAMILY”!

• He crippled Batgirl. He killed Robin. What will The Joker do now that he’s returned to Gotham City?

• What must Batman do to protect his secret identity and that of those who fight alongside him?


Preview

Why I Bought It
Batman. Joker. I'm fair game.

What I Liked

The argument could be made that this is unlike any Joker we've ever seen because, quite frankly, we haven't really seen Joker in the New 52. Snyder can do whatever he wants with this character and it would make sense to the reader as long as Snyder and Capullo are able to show the emotion of the characters around him successfully. That is where the selling point for the comic, and for this Joker, will be.

And we can see that with how James Gordon reacts when Joker is toying with him. He is scared. Fear is showing, or is about to. But with Batman's emotions, he comes across as the most collected individual in the whole comic when he isn't yelling at Harley at the end.

Now a clear argument can still be made either way as to if Joker knows Batman's secret identity in the New 52. He could be going after Wayne because Wayne is sponsoring Batman, so why not hurt the ones that Wayne cares most about? And in doing that, he manages to eliminate the fellow Bat-support characters. The question is if this is intentional or not.

I loved Jock's work on Batman, and Capullo shines as per usual. If this pace is kept up for the whole story, then the art is going to come across as memorable as the story.

From what this book reads like so far, this has the potential to be a good comic, and a good Joker story. I have high hopes, let's see where it goes from here.


What I Didn't Like
The cover is driving me nuts. I don't like gimmick covers, and that is all this one is. You don't get a regular cover, you get a cut out of the Joker face wrapped around Batman's head and the eye holes are cut out. Just holding it in your hand feels weird, and it reminds me too much of previous gimmick covers. It would almost be fine if the cover on the back didn't end half way across the page.

And it looks like they are going, at least by what Joker says which in itself can be taken with a grain of salt, that the Joker origin from Tim Burton's Batman is playing its part here. Interesting take, but I think the character is a lot better with his origin left unknown.

But the biggest thing I don't like, the one that takes a page from The Geoff Johns Flash Book, is when Joker goes on about how he will make Batman better by saving him from his allies that make him weak. That is a Reverse Flash line. I don't mind my superheroes crossing over into each other's books, but at least have the decency to have the Flash appear in costume when you steal a line like that.

Panel to Remember
The one where this really hits home for me is when Jim Gordon and Batman are talking in the elevator. There is one panel of Gordon where he is just nervous. When it is just him and Batman, he has allowed himself to be nervous and let it show. That sells the strength of how scary this Joker can be.

Quotable
"It's the old children's gag." - Its also the same one from the recent Dark Knight movie. Interesting.

Grades
Words: 7/10 - It has potential .The words have been borrowed from other creations and characters. Future issues will need to be able to stand on their own. I get the repetition because that's the Joker's M.O. right now, but let's see some thing original.
Pictures: 9/10 - Yes, I liked them both.
Buy Next Issue: Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel.

News Articles and Reviews at Capeless Crusaders!

In case you have missed it, I've been putting up some must read articles over at Capeless Crusader.

You can get some news from the New York Comic Con about Comic Flea Market, a company looking to bring print-on-demand to the comic book world by clicking here.

New York Comic Con also had some exciting news for the world of digital comics. Check out that article here.

And finally, something I should publish here with some additional commentary, Laura Siegel Larson, daughter of Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel, sent out an open letter declaring her fight against Warner Bros would continue. Read that article here.

In the reviews area, check out some of the latest IDW Publishing comics as well as my review of Walking Dead #103 over at Capeless by clicking here.

Comics! Creator-Owned Heroes #5

Creator-Owned Heroes #5 

Jimmy Palmiotti, Steve Niles, Justin Gray, Jay Russell, Jerry Lando, Andrew Ritchie, Paul Mounts, and Bill Tortolini

The Solicitation

ALL-NEW STORIES BEGIN!

"KILLSWITCH," Part One
Part one of a brand new four-part story. Introducing Killswitch, an enigmatic, and devastatingly handsome killer with a fetish for blunt force, a strong code of honor, and more than a few skeletons in his closet. Killswitch is drawn into a game of death with the world's top assassins to find out who is behind the contract on his head - and why.

"BLACK SPARROW," Part One
A brand new two-part story begins, as a family living in the old west must reconcile that someone close to them might be a killer, or worse. A dark tale of haunting family dedication and the price we pay for love.

PLUS! An interview with AMANDA CONNER, art galleries, con photos, and original articles all celebrating the creator owned spirit.


Preview

Why I Bought It
It is a "jumping on point" for Creator-Owned, but only because new stories are featured. Hell, just about any month can be a "jumping on point" with this book.

What I Liked
We get a couple of good starts for the next couple of stories. I favored the Killswitch one has having more about the story told to you with some awesome art to match. Black Sparrow also had great art, but the story, especially for a two parter, just didn't seem like it had the space that it needed to be fully developed. It hit some notes, but if we are going to take it at face value and expect a conclusion where I care about any of the characters, then that's about out the window.

The Amanda Conner interview continued the trend of having a really good interview in the center of the book. Hell, sometimes just that interview is worth the price of admission. Amanda gives some great advice to, like how not to piss off your editor so you can get a job or how persistence is something you will need in order to get an editor's ear and find work.

Steve Niles also goes into a bit about how he approaches a script, which is very interesting. Having a couple of books and learning a lot through the years about how comic creators have pitched and written for the Marvel or DC, I am a little more interested in how the creator owned path works. Steve doesn't let the details go to the wayside either, as you can see that this is only part one of the continuing saga.

What I Didn't Like
It is hard to tell how old Killswitch should be. On the cover he has a couple hair colors going on, the book has one, and then the ad for the next issue features him sporting gray temples. Weird.

We also got a bonus feature of Palmiotti and Gray's new comic Retrovirus. The preview isn't bad, but it just sort of cuts off. It really felt like there should have been another page there but alas, there was none.

Panel to Remember
I'm going with the layouts that showed Amanda Conner's work for the Captain Brooklyn cover. From pencils, to ink, to finished product. Nicely done and nicely laid out through the article.

Quotable
"When working for the corporate companies, I'm sure there are some rules to go by, but I'm talking about creator-owned comics. I'm also talking about producing comics, not pitching them. That's a whole other ballgame." - Steve Niles

Grades
Words: 9/10
Pictures: 9/10
Buy Next Issue: I think I'm down for as long as this book comes out.

Comics! Batman & Robin #13

Batman & Robin #13 

Peter J. Tomasi: writer
Patrick Gleason: penciller (pgs 1-15)
Tomas Giorello: artist (pgs 16-20)
Mick Gray: inker (pgs 1-15)

The Solicitation

• Gotham City is being devoured by zombies!
• Learn the dangerous secrets of the 2-Club!


No Preview

Why I Bought It
This is basically The Damian Show, so I go where that crazy kid goes.

Well, you have to have some context. This issue and the next one are slight fillers in order to build up to the Death of the Family crossover that officially hits this book in issue #15. So what do we get? Another easily defeat-able villain that won't be around after they are done in this book. So let's enjoy what moments we can out of this one.

What I Liked
We had a nice moment that pretty much keeps within the established quo of the other books. We get reminded that Damian still has a bounty on his head, and we get a minor reference to Joker being on the loose. But that makes me wonder, how the hell do all the Bat-writers keep this shit straight? Aw well, let's ignore it and look at the truly good moment that this book had - where Bruce takes Damian up in the air to see an eclipse and fix a satellite.

And I can't help but think that we saw a little bit of the demise of Pennyworth. Anyone else notice that Titus had a very human looking bone he was carrying around?

The artwork by both artists were spectacularly done. Wait a minute, by both artists?

What I Didn't Like
Oh, no! Gleason had to take someone else to help him complete this issue. I seriously think that is the first time that's been done for this book. So sad, and disappointing. There had to be reasons for it happening, and I would rather see Gleason tackle Joker in all the goodness that can be in the upcoming issues.

Now, both artists were great, but they don't have the same style. At all. Gleason and Gray have worked together on a very ink/shadow heavy book. Giorello is not this. And it is very jarring when the switch is made, and it comes from out of no where. Just all of a sudden Gleason finished and then someone else took over the reigns. Sigh. So sad to see this. The silver lining is that Giorello isn't too shabby, and I would like to see some more from him.

And seriously, zombies? Bah. Not here. Not even some strange zombie wanna-be thing.

Panel to Remember
When Titus is carrying the bone to Damian and trying to put it in his lap. Something just tells me that this will be a very telling panel later on down the road.

Quotable
"What's the matter, rat got your tongue?!" - Damian, after throwing his friend rat on some mutant frog thing and the rat taking a good size bite on the frog's tongue. Rabies shots for all!

Grades
Words: 8/10
Pictures: 8/10 - Would have been higher but the sudden change of artists just wasn't smooth.
Buy Next Issue: I'll buy the other filler book until the crossover hits.