Absolute Batman #3 Review

• Written by: Scott Snyder

• Art by: Nick Dragotta

• Colors by: Frank Martin

• Letters by: Clayton Cowles

• Cover art by: Nick Dragotta (cover A)

• Cover price: $4.99

• Release date: December 18, 2024

Absolute Batman #3, by DC Comics on 12/18/24, finds Absolute Batman confronting the harsh truth, presented by Alfred, that the infamous Black Mask can't be defeated with fists and fancy gadgets.

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Is Absolute Batman #3 Good?

First Impressions

Absolute Batman #3 may be the best issue of the series to date. To be sure, Scott Snyder's over-the-top goofiness rears its wonky head, but the overall narrative takes on a more serious and determined tone to give readers something to think about. What's an Absolute Batman to do when his mission exceeds his resources? That's the question Snyder asks and answers in a hard-hitting issue.

Recap

When last we left Bruce Wayne in Absolute Batman #2, the "Caped" Crusader stepped up his efforts to uncover the identity of Black Mask and his secret agenda for the Party Animals gang. Bruce reached out to his gang of familiar childhood friends to get a lead on the one person capitalizing on the Party Animals' attacks. The issue ended with Absolute Batman cornered in an office building but escaping in the largest, slowest, most expensive vehicle possible. 

Plot Synopsis

In Absolute Batman #3, we begin with the continuing flashback to a time after Bruce's father's death when Selina Kyle showed Bruce attention and kindness. Their evening of roaming the city gives Bruce a boost in courage.

Now, we pick up with the cliffhanger from issue #2. The Bat-Dump Truck "speeds" through the city streets while evading the Party Animals on motorcycles. Absolute Batman gives Alfred seconds to make his case for a partnership. To avoid capture/destruction from the Party Animals and pursuing police cars, Bruce flips a switch that converts the Bat-Dump Truck into a shorter Bat-Dump Truck to give them more speed (no, it doesn't work that way). When the Bat-Dump Truck runs out of room at the Gotham docks, Alfred finishes his compelling case for Absolute Batman to accept Black Mask's deal. Absolute Batman ejects Alfred into the Bay and drives the vehicle careening into the dark waters below, only to emerge in an underground lair via a drainage pipe.

Later, Ex-Mayor Hill brings Chief Bullock to Roman Sionis for a sweet deal that would supply Gotham City Police without vehicles and weapons to fight the Party Animals. Bullock is doubly impressed when he witnesses Sionis defeat a man twice his size in a sparring session.

Meanwhile, Bruce looks into the information that Black Mask is heavily funded by international crime lords and cartels connected to a private prison company. They're last project, Ark M, is the most advanced facility yet under construction in the heart of Gotham City.

With the violence escalating faster than he can fight, and his mother in the crosshairs after accepting the job of Deputy Mayor to support Mayor Jim Gordon during his re-election campaign, Bruce is forced to do the one thing he didn't want to do - compromise.

What’s great about Absolute Batman #3?

Here is the potential we've been waiting for. When faced with a global crime network, overwhelming odds, and risks to innocent people he can't protect, Bruce Wayne is forced to make a ethically painful choice.

That potential is valuable because the consequences of his choice have obvious benefits, but the possibility of a monkey's paw looms large. Now you're in a locked state of anticipation, wondering how this choice will turn out, and that's the making of a great hook.

Plus, the moments between young Bruce and Selina are as sweet and wholesome as any attempt by DC to tap into the YA market in quite a while.

What’s not great about Absolute Batman #3?

Give credit to Scott Snyder for the complex themes at play in this issue, but take some of the credit back on two points.

First, the over-the-top action scene in the beginning is silly to the point of ridiculous. A gigantic Bat-Dump Truck can't move fast enough to evade anyone going more than 45 mph, and dropping the roof to make it "sleeker" won't do a thing to improve the speed. It's still too big and heavy. Yes. the homemade jet engines help, but the whole concept is silly on it face.

Second, Snyder is trying to build up a big mystery surrounding the Party Animals and the identity of Black Mask, but you'd have to be deaf, mute, and blind not to figure out Roman Sionis is Black Mask. The man walks around in plain view with bodyguards, all wearing black animal masks. It's not a mystery that should take more than two minutes to solve.

How’s the Art?

Nick Dragotta's art shines in this issue by making the aforementioned chase scene a gripping one, even if it is silly, and for hitting hard with the character acting during several emotional moments. In retrospect, this is a dialog-heavy issue, but Dragotta's style has so much personality that you're pulled into each and every moment.

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About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Final Thoughts

Absolute Batman #3 is the strongest and most gripping issue in the series so far. Scott Snyder finally confronts Absolute Batman with a problem that can't be solved with fists or gadgets, and Nick Dragotta's stylistic art makes even the quiet dialog moments captivating. Even if you find the Bat-Dump Truck a step too far, check out this issue.

9.3/10

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Wonder Woman #16 Review

• Written by: Tom King

• Art by: Bruno Redondo, Caio Felipe

• Colors by: Adriano Lucas

• Letters by: Clayton Cowles

• Cover art by: Daniel Sampere, Tomeu Morey (cover A)

• Cover price: $4.99

• Release date: December 18, 2024

Wonder Woman #16, by DC Comics on 12/18/24, puts Detective Chimp on the case to solve Steve Trevor's murder by making the Sovereign "bananas" with questions.

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Is Wonder Woman #16 Good?

First Impressions

If you're a Wonder Woman fan, you'll probably have mixed feelings about the second issue in a row where Wonder Woman is nothing more than a presence in the background. Writer Tom King gives Detective Chimp the spotlight for the next round of takedowns against the Sovereign in a tale that has a certain charm but misses the mark on character work. Your mileage may vary.

Recap

When last we left Diana in Wonder Woman #15, she gently nurtured her "newborn" child while the assorted Wonder Girls spread out across the world to cripple the Sovereign's financial caches. Cassie Sandsmark sank an autonomous battleship containing untold riches. Yara Flor robbed a number of North American banks to withdraw the Sovereign's deposits. Donna Troy ripped a precious jewel from the still-living body of Solomon Grundy, and Cheetah shredded a lonely accountant who held the keys to Sovereign's online accounts.

Plot Synopsis

In Wonder Woman #16, Detective Chimp arrives on the Sovereign's doorstep to ask a few trivial questions related to his investigation into Steve Trevor's murder.

At first, the Sovereign humors Det. Chimp by answering his questions with vague answers that would satisfy the average investigator. Det. Chimp is not the average investigator.

Detective Chimp revisits the Sovereign several times over the course of weeks, catching the villain in lies, and then forcing the Soveriegn to concoct bigger lies to cover the previous lies. Eventually, the Soveriegn lies about a piece of evidence he doesn't have, so he sends Circe to break into Steve Trevor's office to steal what he needs. However, the Sovereign doesn't realize that he sent Circe into a trap that gives Detective Chimp and the Spectre the hostile witness they need to uncover the Sovereign's history. 

The issue ends with the Sovereign's reputation being exposed, thanks to an illuminating news report by Clark Kent.

Backup Story

Jimmy Olsen live streams a series of TikTok-ish videos reacting to Clark Kent's story about the Sovereign.

What’s great about Wonder Woman #16?

For good or bad, it's a net positive to see Detective Chimp act like a detective and get the job done. It's strange to think a character who pops up in so many titles rarely gets a chance to show off his talents. Here, Detective Chimp is literally the star of the show.

What’s not great about Wonder Woman #16?

Making Detective Chimp the star of the show means this is the second issue in a row where Wonder Woman lingers in the background with her new child. When a series about a character doesn't star that character, that's just bad form. Marvel is learning that lesson the hard way right now with Ultimate Spider-Man.

Further, Tom King seems to be under the impression that Detective Chimp is a DC analog for the famous TV detective Columbo, which is not at all in line with his character. It's almost a given that Tom King either can't or won't do his character research, but it's still a disappointing shock every time you see how far off the mark King goes.

Further still, how was Detective Chimp able to casually get an audience with the "King of America" without immediately getting swarmed by security or being assassinated to prevent further intrusion? Chimp's detective skills may be admirable, but the plot only works if the Sovereign is suddenly nerfed well below his introduction.

Last but not least, the Sovereign's narration is painfully slow and not at all additive to the plot. You'd think that the same criticism, levied over and over, would prompt King to tighten up the Sovereign's voice, but it seems not. 

How’s the Art?

Bruno Redondo steps in as the guest artist, and the net result is pretty okay. In the interests of full disclosure, I was not a fan of Redondo's bland work on Nightwing. He fares better here, probably due to the coloring from Adriano Lucas, but the art doesn't reach Daniel Sampere's level.

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About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Final Thoughts

Wonder Woman #16 sends Detective Chimp to tear down the Sovereign's reputation, one lie at a time. Tom King's oddball script has a certain charm, thanks to Detective Chimp's weird impersonation of TV detective Columbo. That said, another Wonder Woman comic without Wonder Woman is just bad form, and the guest artist's output is solid but not as good as regular artist Daniel Sampere.

6.5/10

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New Gods #1 Review

• Written by: Ram V

• Art by: Evan Cagle, Jorge Fornés

• Colors by: Francesco Segala

• Letters by: Tom Napolitano

• Cover art by: Nimit Malavia, Evan Cagle, Pete Woods (cover A)

• Cover price: $3.99

• Release date: December 18, 2024

New Gods #1, by DC Comics on 12/18/24, regales readers with the tales of Gods and Monsters when Darkseid's death instigates a new prophecy from the Source, prompting Highfather to assign a deadly task.

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Is New Gods #1 Good?

First Impressions

When this title was announced, my gut reaction could best be summed up as "Oh, no." When you combine DC's most high-brow cast of characters and turn the property over to DC's most pretentious (unsuccessfully so) writer, all signs point in the wrong direction. That said, New Gods #1 has merit. You have to wade through some flowery nonsense to get to the heart of the story, but once you get there, the hook is solid. Let's see if it holds up.

Plot Synopsis

New Gods #1 begins with overwritten narration about Amaxzu, the creation of the universe, the creation of Darkseid, and a brief impression of the Source and the Source Wall. Now, we learn that Darkseid's death, depicted in the All-In Special #1, has created an imbalance of power throughout the universe. Alien races, parademons, and more have either retreated or gone on the offensive now that Darkseid is no longer around to maintain balance.

On this day, Metron delivers a prophecy to the Highfather about a special child born on Earth. We never learn the details of the prophecy, but Highfather is obliged to take action, so he summons his adopted son, Orion, for a special mission.

Later, we catch up with Scott Free, aka Mister Miracle, and Big Barda as they enjoy domestic life on Earth with their infant child, Olivia. Orion pays Scott a visit while Olivia and Barda are sleeping to tell him the mission Highfather assigned him is to find and kill this special child. Orion contacts Scott because he must obey, but he doesn't want to succeed, so he begs Scott to find and escape with the child before Orion returns in seven days.

The issue ends with a trip to India where a young child, Kamal, is hunted by Maxwell Lord's mercenaries.

What’s great about New Gods #1?

At the heart of the issue is an intriguing hook. Scott is tasked with saving a child from death before his ally is forced to kill it on behalf of Highfather, presumably to stave off some great disaster. Ram V gives you a focal character, a goal, conflict, and a vague but tangible sense of stakes. If you're going to tackle DC's most enigmatic cast of characters, that's as good a start as you could hope for.

What’s not great about New Gods #1?

The flowery, pretentious, overwritten narration is terrible. Ram V just can't help himself, so it's to be expected. Thankfully, the narration only takes up a couple of pages, but when it shows up, the issue comes to a screeching halt. In retrospect, you could remove the noble narration, and nothing about the plot changes, which tells you how completely useless it is.

How’s the Art?

Evan Cagle and Jorge Fornés bring the story to life with interesting updates to familiar characters, particularly Orion, cinematic action in the last scene, and cool flourishes with the use of New Gods tech. On the whole, New Gods #1 is one of the best-looking #1s from DC in quite a while.

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About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

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Final Thoughts

New Gods #1 is an interesting start to a new tale when Orion is forced to carry out an extreme order, and only Mister Miracle can get him out of it. The heart of Ram V's story is intriguing and ripe with potential, even if his penchant for overwritten narration rears its ugly head, and the art team's visuals make this issue one of the best-looking #1s DC put out this year.

7.8/10

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Challengers Of The Unknown #1 Review

• Written by: Christopher Cantwell

• Art by: Sean Izaakse

• Colors by: Romulo Fajardo Jr.

• Letters by: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

• Cover art by: Mike Deodato Jr. (cover A)

• Cover price: $3.99

• Release date: December 18., 2024

Challengers Of The Unknown #1, by DC Comics on 12/18/24, sends the world's greatest team of mortals on missions across the solar system to investigate anomalies created by Darkseid's death.

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Is Challengers Of The Unknown #1 Good?

First Impressions

The Challengers of the Unknown are not your everyday DC hero team. Technically, they haven't had an ongoing series in years, so the prospect of bringing the team back to tackle a unique set of challenges (*he*) related to the All-In initiative was a curious one, especially under the uneven hand of the writer, Christopher Cantwell. That said, Challengers Of The Unknown #1 has potential.

Plot Synopsis

The issue begins with a recap of the All-In Special #1, where a brief battle with the Absolute Darkseid led to the villain's destruction and the creation of the Absolute Universe. Now, the newly-reformed Justice League Unlimited gets to the business of saving the world and investigating curious anomalies created when Darkseid "exploded." We meet the Challengers of the Unknown as they busy themselves by cleaning septic tanks and trying to seem useful aboard a space station, the Watchtower, peopled by the most powerful superheroes in the world.

It's clear most of the team isn't happy about their second-fiddle status aboard the Watchtower.

Mr. Terrific calls the team together to tackle their first, big set of assignments. The issue focuses on Ace, expert pilot, as he leads Superman to meet with Ms. Martian to investigate a strange crystal formation. Before they leave, Mr. Terrific exerts an overbearing manner to make sure everyone understands their place, whose in charge, and how much the away team members need to know.

When Ace and Superman arrive on Mars, Ace discovers the giant crystal has a theoretically perfect structure, which absorbs an attempt to break off a chunk for study. Ace concludes they can get a sample if Superman uses his heat vision at an atomic level, so the Man of Steel starts micro-cutting. 

Suddenly, Ace is overcome with a nightmarish vision about his life regrets coming back to haunt him. He eventually snaps out of it, but Superman and Ms. Martian insist they return to the Watchtower with the crystal sample. The issue concludes with Mr. Terrific giving Superman a dire warning.

What’s great about Challengers Of The Unknown #1?

If you're new tot he Challengers of the Unknown, Christopher Cantwell does a relatively good job giving new readers an introduction to the team and give you a sense of what each team member can do.

Further, this appears to be the first inkling since the All-In Special #1 that Darkseid's presence in the universe is far from over.

What’s not great about Challengers Of The Unknown #1?

When DC presented the idea that the Challengers would be running Ops aboard the Watchtower, it seemed like a waste of their talents. Here, the notion that the Challengers are wasted aboard the Watchtower appears to not only be true, but Mr. Terrific comes off as a royal jerk to the team. 

If the goal was to have mortals aboard the Watchtower for optics and to hold the metas accountable to transparency, it's not working. Why is Mr. Terrific a jerk? Why would the Challengers accept a crap job? The mission to investigate anomalies makes sense, but accepting jobs as lackeys and janitors does not, and Cantwell doesn't make it make sense here.

How’s the Art?

The art is decent enough, but the details from Sean Izaakse are a mixed bag. The wide-shot panels are loose enough to make the characters look like blobs. Romulo Fajardo Jr's colors greatly enhance Izzakse's inks, but the art could have used crisper, more refined inks.

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About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

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Final Thoughts

Challengers Of The Unknown #1 is a decent enough start toa series of missions that puts the Challengers on the trails of anomalies created by Darkseid's demise. Christopher Cantwell's script does a decent enough job introducing the team and their mission, but the setup and some of the character work is off-kilter. Likewise, the art is decent enough, but the details are lacking.

6.5/10

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Black Lightning #2 Review

• Written by: Brandon Thomas

• Art by: Fico Ossio

• Colors by: Ulises Arreola

• Letters by: Lucas Gattoni

• Cover art by: Fico Ossio, Ulises Arreola

• Cover price: $3.99

• Release date: December 11, 2024

Black Lightning #2, by DC Comics on 12/11/24, follows Anissa as she struggles with her uncontrolled power and complicated feelings toward her father as the Absolute Power fallout spirals.

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Is Black Lightning #2 Good?

First Impressions

Clunky, disjointed, annoying, and unsatisfying. These are just a few words that come to mind after reading writer Brandon Thomas's entry in Jefferson Pierce's life story. It's a shame because Black Lightning #2 has all the pieces for a thoughtful examination of the consequences of Amanda Waller's failed attempt to take over the world, but the issue is mired in poor character work, ugly scene transitions, and a cloudy plot.

Recap

When last we left Jefferson Pierce in Black Lightning #1, the electricity-based superhero struggled to settle into his new role as seeker and counselor of citizens imbued with power from the fallout of Absolute Power. Black Lightning and his daughter tracked an anomaly spiraling out of control on a city subway, but our hero was shocked to learn the anomaly was his second daughter, Anissa.

Plot Synopsis

In Black Lightning #2, we catch up sometime after the big reveal that Anissa is one of the recipients of new power after the Task Force VII Amazos were defeated. Anissa vents her frustrations about her father to a robotic counselor aboard the new Watchtower. Meanwhile, Black Lightning and Lightning tackle one meta outbreak after another in and around Metropolis.

Anissa eventually storms out of the counseling session when questions about her negative feelings toward her father grow increasingly uncomfortable. Black Lightning and Lightning meet her in the Watchtower when Anissa demands to be taken home, but Jefferson is called to a Watchtower-wide emergency, so he asks Lightning to take Anissa home. Instead of going straight home, Lightning takes her sister to see their mother at Steelworks.

Elsewhere, Isaac, the student who received powers in issue #1, is at home watching the news. The angry, anti-meta rhetoric from Councilman Harriman scares Isaac, but his mother steps in to turn off the television and encourage him to relax while she goes to work. Isaac uses his alone time to visit Steelworks, hoping to connect with Lightning.

The issue ends with Volcana and two unnamed allies attacking Steelworks for some reason, prompting Lightning and Natasha to suit up for battle.

What’s great about Black Lightning #2?

If you read the 1st Impressions section above, you already know the value of this issue is the potential of the pieces. Brandon Thomas has the opportunity to lead one of the few titles that show how the fallout of Absolute Power is affecting everyday people across the globe. On that point, Thomas succeeds in showing a world fighting a huge mess that strains the Justice League and, by extension, the people in their lives.

Yes, a big event should show consequences. If DC isn't going to reboot the universe, impactful consequences are the next best thing.

What’s not great about Black Lightning #2?

Oof! Brandon Thomas has all the pieces, but he puts them together like a post-modernist interpretation of a knotted ball of yarn. Scenes begin out of nowhere, or you're dropped into the middle of scenes without context, and the issue begins days after the last issue's cliffhanger for no real reason. There's no cohesion, no flow, and no real point to this issue other than to highlight Anissa has a really bad attitude toward her father. 

On that last point, Thomas goes over the top by presenting Anissa as an unreasonable, emotionally immature brat, which is a stark contrast to any recent appearance of Anissa. If Thomas's goal was to make Anissa look as obnoxiously self-involved and unfair as possible, he succeeded. Considering the egregious character assassination of Andy Curry by Thomas in his Future State run, I'm starting to suspect Thomas has a problem presenting certain types of characters. We'll leave it at that.

How’s the Art?

Fico Ossio's artwork is pretty darn good and probably deserves more praise for making Thomas's awkward script look presentable. The few wow moments available hit hard, and the overall look of the issue is energetic.

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About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Final Thoughts

Black Lightning #2 has all the makings of a great story as one of the few DC titles showing the consequences of Absolute Power. Unfortunately, Brandon Thomas's directionless plot and disjointed execution waste the opportunity.

5/10

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