Batman #23 Review

I shall become a bat

There were people who cried foul when zero year was announced.  "Why do we need another retelling of Bruce Wayne's transformation into Batman?" They yelled (and typed) to all who would listen.  Well, to them I give them Batman #23 as the answer.

Bruce continues his battle with the Red Hood Gang and in particular its charismatic leader. If in fact he is the Joker, this issue gives some great background material to the character.  He also beats Bruce to a bloody pulp.  I really mean that...Bruce gets the living sh** kicked, punched and bludgeoned out of him.  Luckily, Alfred has the skills and money to buy gauze and stitching and Bruce survives.  He searches his soul and memories of his Father and utters the words that every Batman (and Frank Miller) fan loves..."I shall become the Bat."  It is as chill worthy as the original and a great homage to the greatest Batman origin story ever. 

The backup by James Tynion shows Bruce in an endless death match against wave after wave of enemies.  You see his code of honor being formed and tested right before your eyes.  Great stuff.

Greg Capullo's art is amazing.  Everything looks great, even the mangled face of a beaten Bruce.  However, Danny Miki's inking and FCO Plascencia's colors steal the show.  Everything just pops off the page.  It's not just the simple look of the color and ink that is so impressive either.  They are used in the way the narrative unfolds.  Pay close attention to the style and palette of the colors in order to follow the chronology of the story as it unfolds.

With Zero Year, Scott Snyder is not just giving us his personal take on the Batman origin, but making it fit in the New 52.  We are seeing the transition from Man to Bat in a way that fits the time frame and new continuity of the universe he inhabits.  But what makes it so grand are the little nods to the readers that love the old stories and the old continuity.  Snyder shows he wants to be known for his new stories, but loves and respects everything that came before him.  He is truly standing on the Shoulders of Giants and letting us see the new view he is creating.

9.8/10

Injustice: Gods Among Us #31 Review

A Plan Flushed Down the Toilet

Last weeks issue of Injustice was a nostalgia filled fun-fest.  It was a welcome break from the bleak alternate reality of the Injustice story.  This week, things are back to "normal" and  I couldn't be more happy.

The star of this weeks episode is Green Arrow.  Tom Taylor does a great job making him likable, funny and heroic.  Him and Black Canary meet up with Batman in a secret lair that involves a toilet elevator.  Yes...a toilet elevator!

Batman has put a plan into action to divert Superman's attention away from the Fortress of Solitude.  Superman sees through the plan and Batman realize she has made a huge mistake .  Batman has struggled to gain the trust of his group, but now his mistakes are going to cost lives. 

In fact, the issue ends with Superman possibly killing a Batman ally and a promise of a battle that everyone knows is coming, but no one wants to see.

I like Tom Derenick 's artwork.  His character designs are real good and the art complemented the overall story really well.

Tom Taylor has delivered another strong issue of Injustice: Gods Among Us.  Like the series as a whole, if you played the game you know that some twists won't stick and other turns lead to different paths.  What is great about this comic though, is that you see how these events slowly develop and come into play.  Some of us may know how the story ends, but isn't it the journey that really counts?

8.8/10