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“Death of the Family” Shows the Importance of Batman’s Supporting Cast

Batman #13-17 Written by Scott Snyder Pencilled by Greg Capullo Inked by Jonathan Glapion Colored by FCO Plascencia Even if it is drawn like (a dark opening scene from the Joker’s POV as he cracks Gotham police officer’s necks) and plotted like a slasher film, “Death of the Family” is a love story. A long, lost …

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‘The Killing Joke’ Is The Best Joker Story Ever Told

In the pantheon of Batman stories there’s a handful that come up every time someone ranks the best. The Dark Knight Returns, Batman Year One, and The Long Halloween usually all make the list. And then there’s the Killing Joke. The Killing Joke stands out from the crowd for a couple of reasons. For one thing, unlike the above mentioned stories, The Killing Joke is a graphic novel and not a collection of previously individual issues. For another, The Killing Joke isn’t really a Batman story. Sure Batman is in it, he even plays an important part;but The Killing Joke is above all else, a Joker story.

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‘Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?’ is a good ending for Batman

After Bruce Wayne’s death in Final Crisis, DC Comics gave legendary comics creator and novelist Neil Gaiman the chance to pen one “last” Batman story in the vein of Alan Moore’s What Happened to the Man of Tomorrow, which was the last Superman story before Crisis on Infinite Earths. Equal parts love letter and thesis statement, Gaiman and artist Andy Kubert open the comic showing the usual Gotham City skyline, but with the names of important Batman creators, like Bill Finger and Jim Aparo in the background.

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‘Batman Inc’ Vol. 1 applies the idea of Batman on a global level

After his death and time travel, Bruce Wayne returns and reclaims his rightful place as Batman. However, after his adventures and trials in Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne miniseries, he realizes that his approach towards crime fighting has been too narrow. Bruce Wayne reveals that he has been funding Batman since his inception and announces Batman …

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‘Earth 2’ #25: Tune in next time, comic-book fans!

There aren’t many ethnic minority characters in comics, so there is something heartening about seeing Val-Zod, a person with dark skin, sporting a symbol as important to comics as that of the House of El. In the nightmare world of Earth 2, where the world’s greatest heroes are no more and the best of them has been corrupted by Darkseid, this young boy may be the best hope that world has.

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‘Transcendence’ a bland, low-key, and ultimately silly techno-thriller

Transcendence Written by Jack Paglen Directed by Wally Pfister United Kingdom, China, and USA, 2014 It’s been more than a decade since Johnny Depp moved from being a bundle of quirky nerves in the body of a heartthrob to a full-fledged movie star, and it may be the worst thing that happened to his career. …

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Batman Eternal #1 is a Fast Start to the New Weekly Series

Batman Eternal #1 Written by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV Art by Jason Fabok Colored by Brad Anderson Published by DC Comics With a jaw dropping first page (actually the end of the whole Batman Eternal story), Batman Eternal #1 goes full throttle from the beginning and never lets up on the gas. Scott Snyder and James Tynion have …

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Batman ’66 Puts the Biff, Bam Pow Back Into Comics

Batman ’66 Vol 1 Written by Jeff Parker Drawn by Jonathan Case, Ty Templeton, Joe Quinones, Sandy Jarrell, Ruben Procopio and Colleen Coover Published by DC Comics Is there another fictional character who has so many clearly identifiable and distinct incarnations as Batman does? There’s the original, Silver Age Batman, Neal Adams’ Batman, Frank Miller, …

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‘The LEGO Movie’ is another fast-paced, exuberant delight from ’21 Jump Street’ directors

The LEGO Movie Written and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller USA, 2014 The opening moments of Pixar’s last great film to date, Toy Story 3, depict an intentionally, increasingly goofy and outlandish fantasy scenario in which all of the toys in Andy’s bedroom play a part. There are the heroic Sheriff Woody and …

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Batman and Robin Will Never Die but Batman Incorporated Has To End

Grant Morrison’s run on Batman began full of piss and vinegar. He had the Batman shoot Joker in the face. Or at least, he had someone dressed like Batman shoot the Joker in the face, but it was a big, bold statement as he began a seven year adventure with Bruce Wayne and his son …

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Arkham Asylum is a Harrowing Look at Madness in the Batman Mythos

Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on a Serious Earth Writer: Grant Morrison Artist: Dave McKean Publisher: DC Comics 25 years ago and well before his celebrated seven year run writing various Batman titles, Grant Morrison and Sandman cover illustrator Dave McKean collaborated on the best-selling and mind bending Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on a Serious Earth. The …

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10 Best Comics of 2013: Part Two

5. Captain Marvel (Marvel) Captain Marvel #9-#17 Writers: Kelly Sue DeConnick (9-17), Christopher Sebela (10-12), Jen Van Meter (15-16) Pencillers: Filipe Andrade (9-12, 17), Scott Hepburn (13-14), Gerardo Sandoval (13-14), Pat Oliffe (15) Inker: Filipe Andrade (9-12, 17), Scott Hepburn (13-14), Gerardo Sandoval (13-14), Drew Geraci (15-16), Tom Nguyen (16) Colorist: Jordie Bellaire (9-13, 17), Andy …

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JLA “New World Order” Returns DC’s Greatest Heroes to their Former Glory in Epic Fashion

JLA #1-#4 Writer: Grant Morrison Penciller: Howard Porter Inker: John Dell Colorist: Pat Barrahy Publisher: DC Comics Even though Howard Porter’s figures take creative license with human anatomy and have horribly dated hairstyles,  JLA #1-#4 (“New World Order”) is an important comic arc and a very entertaining superhero story. It was the first comic done in the “widescreen” format …

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DC Comics Characters That Should Have Their Own TV Show

CW’s Arrow has shown that DC Comics characters can work on the small screen. This season has gotten positive attention from both fans and critics and continues to build its world and introduce more characters and concepts from the comics. As well as Arrow, DC Entertainment has announced that there are Jim Gordon, John Constantine, and Hourman shows …

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Gotham May be Dark, But Batman #25 Shines Bright

Batman #25 Writer: Scott Snyder Penciller: Greg Capullo Inker: Danny Miki Colours: FCO Plascencia Letterer: Nick Napolitano Publisher: DC Comics Purchase: http://www.comixology.com/Batman-2011-25/digital-comic/50127 Last month’s issue of Batman, Batman #24, is a classic. It is not only a love letter to Batman’s lore, but it also took Zero Year from a novelty event and transformed it …

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Damian: Son of Batman is An Utter Failure

Damian: Son of Batman Writer: Andy Kubert Art: Andy Kubert Publisher: DC Comics Purchase: http://www.comixology.com/Damian-Son-of-Batman-2013/comics-series/11700 There’s a moment in Damian: Son of Batman #1 where our titular hero, the son of Bruce himself, let’s out a groan inducing ‘Holy Crap’. This weak moment in writing, one of many, not only sets the character back 5 years, …

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Batwoman #24 is an Action Packed Conclusion to Williams and Blackman’s Run on the Series

Batwoman #24 Writers: J.H. Williams and W. Haden Blackman Artists: Trevor McCarthy, Sandu Florea, and Derek Fridolfs Colorists: Guy Major Publisher: DC Comics J.H. Williams has been writing and/or drawing Batwoman’s (Kate Kane) adventures in some capacity since 2009’s Batwoman: Elegy storyline in Detective Comics. With Greg Rucka, he created a compelling origin story for DC Comics’ first …

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Batman #24 is a Masterful Look at the Character of Batman

Batman #24 Writers: Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV Penciller: Greg Capullo and Rafael Albuquerque (backup) Inker: Danny Miki Colorist: FCO Plascencia and Dave McCaig (backup) Publisher: DC Comics In Batman #24, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo set out to answer the question, “Who is Batman?” How did Bruce Wayne, angry urban vigilante, become the legendary Dark …

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