[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Chip Zdarsky

Artists: Belen Ortega

Color Artist: Luis Guerrero

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Review by: Kendra Smart

Summary

The Penguin #0 gives readers a peek into the Penguin in his element and prime. The spotlight is on him as he maneuvers his way out of Gotham with a false death and into a normal life. Seems feasible, right? But in his absence, there is a definite squabble that Catwoman finds herself in the middle of as the descendants of Penguin and his many rivals come to pick the bones clean. Gotham is about to find itself with many more corpses.

In Memory

The cover that we get for The Penguin #0 is astounding indeed. Belen Ortega provides great artwork, coupled with Alejandro Sánchez’s color work. We get a scene for Catwoman, and even meet a new character this issue who is a robotic creation known as The Executor.  The Executor is quite the pun given what happens this issue. Let’s jump right in.

Nom De Plume

The Penguin’s Iceberg Lounge has been a laundering site for many of those looking to make their money “clean”. It is an empire prized by many, and this is proven by the vultures coming to claim his bergs now that he is “dead”.  The Iceberg Lounge is like Boardwalk on a Monopoly board, and everyone is gunning for it. Catwoman finds herself between Finbar Sullivan and The Yakuza, both of whom wish to lay claim.

Interrupted by The Underbroker and his associate The Executor, they insist, quite pointedly, that the will must be honored. That should settle things, but Catwoman has her own mess to clear when The Executor requests her help with finding Cobblepot’s  next of kin. Of course, she is given a monetary incentive, but the problem is… they keep dying. Will Catwoman finish her mission or will she have to seek counsel from beyond the grave?

Positives

The Penguin #0 presents us with many high points. From the artwork to the story, new characters and fiendish foes, everything is executed splendidly. I loved every twist and turn, even when they were predictable. If Chip Zdarsky is giving us the type of story telling we can expect for this series… it heightens my anticipation ten fold.

Negatives

There really are none in The Penguin #0. Given that this is a zero issue, I expected a lot of fluff, but there was none. It was wonderful from panel to panel.

Verdict

With The Penguin #0, it feels like we are in for a wild ride. One that will explore Cobblepot on a different level then we have seen, and that is always exciting to a fan. Exploring the world of Gotham in a deeper way is always fun, but I also like that we get to see the stark, raw comparison of Metropolis and Gotham at their centers. Definitely a recommended pick up.

Score: 5/5

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment. 

The post Review: The Penguin #0 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Next came  a special video greeting from Chip Zdarsky, then Catwoman writer Tini Howard joined the panel to talk about Catwoman becoming a crime boss in Gotham City and how its going to lead to “Gotham War” and the effects it will have on the Batman family.

Award-winning storyteller Rafael Grampa joined the panel to talk about his DC Black Label series, Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham.

This is the first DC work from Grampa since his collaboration with Frank Miller on Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child in 2019. Grampá showed a look at a variant cover for the debut issue of the series (Batman Day, September 16).

Writer Ram V was also part of the panel.  He talked about his run on Detective Comics. Ram and Abernathy also had a special surprise for fans in attendance. In keeping with the operatic theme of “Gotham Nocturne,” the duo announced a brief “intermezzo” planned for October, revealing cover art for Detective Comics #1076, a four-issue arc called “Batman Outlaw.”

To finish up the panel, Batman Beyond storytellers Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing joined the panel to give fans a peak into  their series, Batman Beyond: Neo-Gothic. In addition to their new series (on sale July 25), there was breaking news  on their next DC project, Outsiders.  This brings a new-look Batwoman together with Luke Fox/Batwing, and a new version of The Drummer.

The post SDCC 2023: Gotham City Panel Shows Debut of Batman Outlaw And Outsiders appeared first on DC Comics News.

Welcome to another episode of I AM THE NIGHT, a podcast dedicated to breaking down every episode of Batman: The Animated Series. Each week, the wonderful Steve J Ray (reviewer at DC Comics News, as well as Editor-in-Chief of our sister site Dark Knight News) and a guest will sit down and dive cowl first into an episode of the greatest animated series of all time.

In this episode, Steve is joined by fellow DCN and DKN writer, and his offspring, Adam Ray, to talk about the season three episode of Batman: TAS (aka The New Batman Adventures), titled “You Scratch My Back“. So sit back, put on your cape and cowl, and prepare yourself for a journey into the darkness!

Episode Synopsis: In an effort to further distance himself from Batman, Nightwing tries to go it alone to stop a smuggling ring and gets unexpected help from the seductive Catwoman, who attempts a somewhat sensual relationship with him.

Our “You Scratch My Back” episode is also available on YouTube:

Steve J Ray: www.twitter.com/el_steevo
Adam Ray: www.twitter.com/IzzetTinkerer

“I Am The Night” Theme by David B. (www.twitter.com/DavidBMusic21)

Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Play, and if you like what you hear, please give us a 5-star rating and review!

Follow us on social media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DCComicsNews

Twitter: www.twitter.com/DCComicsNews

Instagram: www.instagram.com/DCComicsNews

Tumblr: www.tumblr.com/DCComicsNews

The post Batman: The Animated Series 3×05 – “You Scratch My Back” REVIEW | I Am The Night #84 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Chip Zdarsky

Artists: Mike Hawthorne, Adriano Di Benedetto, Miguel Mendonca

Colours: Tomeu Morey, Roman Stevens

Letters: Clayton Cowles

Reviewed By: Derek McNeil

Summary

Batman #133: Everyone goes insane eventually. And then they belong to the terrifying Red Mask! But Gotham City has a new savior. He strikes from the shadows, exhumes the dead, and is known only as…the Batman. And in our backup story, Tim Drake’s search for Batman continues as he and Superman, Jon Kent, team up to stop the terror of the Toyman!

Positives

There is much that I enjoyed in Chip Zdarsky’s Batman #133, but my absolute favourite part is Bruce’s interaction with the Alfred Pennyworth of this parallel Earth. With Alfred having died in the main DCU, we only get to occasionally Bruce interact with him in flashbacks, hallucinations, or dreams. But this time, Bruce is interacting with a real live Alfred. It may not be the Alfred we know, but he appears to be the same character at heart.

Bruce tells this world’s Alfred,

…I’m from another universe. And the Alfred Pennyworth of my universe… was a kind man who stood up to evil. I’m here to do just that… I’ll do everything in my power to make things right… because an Alfred Pennyworth raised me.”

Something that is sometimes overlooked by many Batman writers is that Alfred was just as much of a father figure to Bruce as Thomas Wayne – if not more. It’s great to see that Zdarsky understands this crucial piece of the Batman mythos. And I like that Bruce gets the chance to express his love and appreciation to Alfred for this upbringing, even if it’s not his Alfred.

Another interesting facet of this story is seeing Bruce re-establishing himself as Batman, but without the benefit of Wayne Industries’ resources. It was somewhat teased that we would see Bruce operate without these resources in the wake of The Joker War. However, his career as Batman seems to have gone mostly unaffected, other than a change of residence.

But now we see that Bruce has had to cobble together a somewhat makeshift costume and weapons. Hawthorne and Di Benedetto have done a great job designing a lower tech Batsuit – possible too good. It looks good enough that it must have been somewhat expensive for Bruce to make. Not millions, but it must have cost at least several hundred at least. How did Bruce manage to accomplish this?

Positives Cont.

Bruce does make an interesting discovery. As far as this world is concerned, their Bruce Wayne was killed years ago. But Bruce discovers that the Bruce Wayne that died is from yet another parallel Earth. This raises some important questions. What universe is this Bruce Wayne from? And what happened to this world’s Bruce? Is he still on this Earth or on another, or is he also dead? Zdarsky has given Bruce quite the intriguing and off-beat mystery to solve.

Bruce’s encounters with the Riddler and Judge Dent show that Batman doesn’t need his fancy gadgets to be Batman. They’re tools that he makes uses of, but Bruce is every bit the badass as ever, even without them. And this world’s villains don’t stand a chance against him.

Batman #133’s backup story continues Tim Drake’s quest to find and bring Bruce back to the main DCU Earth. To this end, he has tracked down Toyman, who created the weapon that sent Bruce to another universe.

Toyman has fled to yet another universe, and Tim aims to bring him back to help figure out where in the Multiverse, Bruce was sent. Importantly, Tim also makes a point of bringing all the victims Toyman abducted to this parallel Earth. Tim’s ultimate aim is to get Bruce back, but helping others takes priority. Just as Bruce learned this from Alfred, Tim learned it from Bruce.

Negatives

I am a bit confused about one thing in the backup story. Tim wears an outfit designed for multiversal travel. It’s quite a striking design from Miguel Mendonca, but it looks nothing like a Robin costume in either design or colours. But Toyman recognizes him immediately on sight as being a Robin. I don’t see how he possibly could have done so.

The only hint of his Robin costume is his mask, which is barely visible under the shaded glass of the helmet’s faceplate. It’s conceivable, if unlikely, that a Batman villain might be familiar enough with Robin to recognize him. But Toyman is a Superman villain. If the story called for Toyman to recognize Tim as a Robin, then the uniform should have somehow marked him as Robin, like the R-symbol or the distinctive red/green/yellow colour scheme.

However, this is a minor issue, and doesn’t really detract from the story. So, I can easily overlook it.

Verdict

Zdarsky’s “The Bat-Man of Gotham City” is proving to be a very thought-provoking storyline. It’s an intriguing examination of how Bruce would fare in a very different version of Gotham. But, Zdarsky shows us that Bruce is up to the challenge. Because being Batman is Bruce’s destiny, regardless of which version of Gotham City he may find himself in.

The post Review: Batman #133 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Chip Zdarsky

Artists: Mike Hawthorne, Adriano Di Benedetto, Miguel Mendonca

Colours: Tomeu Morey, Roman Stevens

Letters: Clayton Cowles

Reviewed By: Derek McNeil

Summary

Batman #132: The mean streets of Gotham City have gotten meaner as the likes of Harvey Dent and Killer Croc roam free, brutalizing the population. Where is Batman and why hasn’t he responded to the cries of a city in peril?! Can Bruce Wayne find the answers before the mysterious Red Mask captures him? And in the backup story, Tim Drake’s hunt for Batman continues. Will Metropolis’s newest Superman, Jon Kent, be able to help the Boy Wonder with this Multiversal mystery, or will they both run afoul of an overpowered Toyman?!

Positives

The conclusion of the Chip Zdarsky’s Failsafe storyline made it appear that Failsafe had killed The Batman. However, Bruce finds himself on another Earth in the Multiverse. Over two issues, we have seen Bruce discovering more about this strange new world. And a fascinating world it is indeed.

Most notably, it seems that this world’s Bruce Wayne is either dead, having had little impact on this world’s Gotham City. There is not Wayne Enterprises. And most striking, this world has never had a Batman.

But most fascinating is the alternate versions of familiar characters. Some of them seem to be mashups of two Earth-0 characters. Judge Dent is a combination of Two-Face, the Joker. And Red Mask appears to be a mix of Red Hood and Black Mask. I suspect that this is not Jason Todd, but this world’s Joker, who was the original Red Hood in the main DCU. Bruce recognizes the man who would be the Joker on his home Earth. And it seems quite possible that this could be Red Mask out of costume.

Also Bruce encounters this world’s Selina Kyle. It’s not revealed if she’s Catwoman on this Earth, but she is just as formidable. I don’t know if Zdarsky consciously intended it, but I find this story reflects Bruce’s first encounter with Selina in Frank Miller’s Batman: Year One. In both cases, Bruce is in disguise, but not in his Batman identity. And in both cases, he finds himself woefully unprepared for the encounter.

Positives Cont.

I also find it noteworthy that this world’s Alfred Pennyworth is still alive and in a relationship with Leslie Thompkins. This is a pairing we have seen before in the DCeased universe. If Alfred is ever brought back from the dead in the DCU, it might be interesting to for this relationship to be explored in the main DCU world.

And there is a moment of mutual recognition between Bruce and Alfred that promises an emotional encounter between them in a later chapter of the story. At least I hope so, as I would be quite disappointed in Zdarsky if this brief encounter doesn’t have a payoff later in the story.

Also, Bruce is helped out by a young girl who calls herself Jewel, but her actual name is Julia. Could she be this world’s version of Alfred’s daughter Julia Pennyworth? Or is it just a coincidence? It could add an interesting wrinkle to the story, but it wouldn’t be detrimental to the story if she isn’t Alfred’s daughter.

But I think the most intriguing and unexpected character Bruce encounters is James Gordon. He appears as a skeleton complete with trench coat, mustache, and signature pipe. And Bruce is the only one who can see or hear him. Is this Commissioner Gordon a recurring hallucination? Or is this world’s James Gordon a supernatural entity that Bruce can see for some unknown reason? I hope Zdarsky reveals what’s going on with this bizarre version of Gordon before wrapping up this storyline.

Positives Cont.

Also, I wonder why Bruce hasn’t encountered any of this world’s versions of the Bat-Family beyond Alfred. With no Batman on this world, it makes sense that they wouldn’t adopt Bat-themed superhero identities. But at least some of them should exist in this Gotham City in their civilian identities. But Bruce so far hasn’t encountered Dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon, Tim Drake, or any of the others. So where are they?

I really like how Zdarsky shows that Bruce is compelled to help the people of this version of Gotham City. He can’t ignore the plight of this world’s Gothamites, so he prioritizes them over his quest to return to his own world. As Bruce narrates:

Every Gotham is my Gotham. I want to go home, but… they need help out of this. To strike fear into the the people who need it”.

So Bruce resolves to become the Batman this world needs so that he can strike fear into the hearts of this Gotham’s criminals. How he will do so without Bruce’s wealth, access to technology, or any superhero allies should prove fascinating. Can Bruce succeed as Batman with his training being his only advantage? Of course he can, he’s the Batman. But it will be fascinating to see how he manages to do so.

In he backup story, Tim Drake continues his quest to find out what actually happened to Bruce. With the help of Superman Jon Kent and Mister Terrific, he determines that Bruce is lost somewhere on a parallel Earth. So, he sets off to follow Bruce into the Multiverse. But will he end up on the same Earth as Bruce?

The world he ends up on doesn’t seem to be the one Bruce is on, but perhaps it’s the same world, just not that Earth’s Gotham City.  But before he can investigate to find out if he’s on the right Earth, he has to contend with the original Toyman. I expect that Tim will be up to dealing with this classic Superman villain. But it will provide an exciting battle. And it will likely take a lighter tone than to balance out the more dramatic and intense events in the main story.

Negatives

I can’t really find any fault with either story. Zdarsky has set up an intriguing story for both Batman and Robin. He clearly knows what he’s doing. And the art in both stories is fantastic. I can’t even find any minor faults to quibble over. Hopefully, the remainder of the storyline will continue to be just as excellent. And the art in both stories is similarly excellent.

Verdict

Batman #132 continues the compelling “The Bat-Man of Gotham” storyline. Zdarsky has set up an intriguing story that is unlike the usual Batman story. If Zdarsky keeps up the same level of quality that he has achieved in the first two chapters, this story will likely be remembered as a classic Batman story.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

The post Review: Batman #132 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Since the announcement of upcoming DC Studio projects this past Tuesday, Mangold, who is currently directing Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny, made his intentions clear. He tweeted an archival image of Swamp Thing by the legendary Berni Wrightson, but no caption. And sources confirm that he is in discussions with DC Studios’ co-chair, James Gunn. If he gets the job, this will be the second superhero project he has manned in recent years. His Hugh Jackman-led Logan, following Wolverine’s final adventure, is still held in critical acclaim as the best X-Men film.

It should be fair to note, however, that there have been no directors officially attached to any of the ten film that were announced.

James Mangold and DC’s Muckman – Who is Swamp Thing and Why Is This A Big Deal?

Created in 1971 by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson, the most infamous incarnation of Swamp Thing is Alec Holland. However, Holland is, in fact, the second version, as the first – Alexander Olsen – made his appearance in a very similar story in House of Secrets #92.

Both were scientists who fell victim to criminal machinations and, in the process, their own work that mutated them. In Holland’s case, terrorists after his bio-restorative formula bombed his lab, and, saturated with the formula while on fire, dove into the bog. He later emerged as a muck-encrusted humanoid, near-mute version of himself.

The original run saw the character endlessly pursuing both peace and a possible cure while battling horror-themed villains. Alan Moore would later establish both that this was a construct that believed it was Alec Holland, and that he was the latest in a hierarchy of avatars of “The Green,” the planet’s sentient ecology.

Writer Geoff Johns would later retcon this in Brightest Day and establish Holland as the true Swamp Thing to combat his then-corrupted double. Holland has recently gone off-world, as The Green has chosen a new avatar in Levi Kami.

This would not be the first live-action outing for the character. In fact, horror legend Wes Craven directed the first Swamp Thing film back in 1982. The movie starred Louis Jordan, Ray Wise, Adrienne Barbeau, and Dick Durock as Swamp Thing.

Batman: The Animated Series fans would recognize Barbeau for her later fame as the voice giving sultry life to Selina Kyle, AKA Catwoman, in 1992. Durock, meanwhile, would reprise the role in the campy 1989 sequel The Return of Swamp Thing with Heather Locklear, and again in a later USA Network sci-fi series.

A more recent and very popular series on DC Universe starring Crystal Reed was premiered and canceled within a week, due to creative differences with WarnerMedia.

Official Source – James Mangold reportedly in talks to direct Swamp Thing (batman-news.com)

The post James Mangold Could Direct Upcoming “Swamp Thing” Film, Sources Claim appeared first on DC Comics News.

In this episode, Steve is joined by fellow DCN and DKN writer, and his offspring, Adam Ray, to talk about the season two finale of Batman: TAS, titled “Batgirl Returns“. So sit back, put on your cape and cowl, and prepare yourself for a journey into the darkness!

**Episode Synopsis:** While Bruce is in Europe on a Wayne Enterprises business trip, the theft of a jade cat statue occurs at Gotham State University. Barbara Gordon again becomes Batgirl to investigate, only to run into Catwoman, who is also investigating, pointing out that the acid residue used to destroy the security system is not her style. The two team up to find the statue, with Robin tailing them, and things go from bad to worse when Roland Daggett is revealed to be involved.

“I Am The Night” is now also available on YouTube!

Steve J Ray: www.twitter.com/el_steevo
Adam Ray: www.twitter.com/IzzetTinkerer

“I Am The Night” Theme by David B. (www.twitter.com/DavidBMusic21)

Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Play, and if you like what you hear, please give us a 5-star rating and review!

Follow us on social media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DCComicsNews

Twitter: www.twitter.com/DCComicsNews

Instagram: www.instagram.com/DCComicsNews

Tumblr: www.tumblr.com/DCComicsNews

The post I Am The Night #79: Batman: TAS 2×20 – “Batgirl Returns” REVIEW appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Geoff Johns

Art: Mikel Janin, Jerry Ordway, and Scott Kolins

Colors: Jordie Bellaire and John Kalisz

Letters: Rob Leigh

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

The mystery deepens for Helena Wayne as she meets the Justice Society in 1940.  Dr. Fate tries to “share” her memories with the rest of the team, but things go haywire!

Positives

With The New Golden Age #1 and Stargirl: The Lost Children, Geoff Johns and DC Comics have begun reinvigorating their Golden Age legacy characters.  In the Silver and Bronze Ages, these characters lived on a separate parallel earth known as Earth-Two.  With Justice Society of America #2, despite taking place on the main DC Earth and ostensibly “in continuity,” it genuinely feels like the creative team is carving out its own corner of the DC Universe that feels like a separate timeline.

In Stargirl: The Lost Children, Emiko Queen and Oliver Queen are part of current continuity, yet Oliver’s time in the past as the Golden Age Green Arrow is such a different feeling character from the traditional Earth-One Green Arrow.  Likewise, Helena Wayne in the Justice Society of America is a character that channels not only her own pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity, but brings her dad (yes, main continuity, Prime Earth) Bruce Wayne along for the ride.   

As she wakes up  in an infirmary at the beginning of Justice Society of America #2, having arrived in 1940 at the end of last issue, she thinks she hears her father’s voice.  It’s a small thing, but a detail that connects the ideas in a meta way.  Readers know that Batman was originally part of the JSA, but his history doesn’t show that after all the reboots.  It’s how Johns is able to connect the past with the present in a way that acknowledges the characters histories.  Sliding Helena’s timeline forward is the same sort of thing.  

Positives Cont’d

These elements point to great world building.  It’s honestly ok if it doesn’t feel like the main DC Universe.  That’s what was always special about Earth-Two and the JSA- it didn’t feel like the main DCU.  They could co-exist and here we have it again in a new way.  It helps that most of the characters are different, but more so in this case it’s the fact that we are getting elements of the past woven into the present continuity .

This makes new characters like Judy Garrick and Salem, the Witch Girl who we see more of in this issue more likable and feel more appropriate.  Like issue #1, there are other glimpses of events at the end of the issue that readers may remember.  Alan Scott in his Sentinel days is seen 8 years ago, 13 years ago, Selina Kyle stepped out on a balcony in her Catwoman garb for the first time and Khalid Nassour gained the helmet of Fate just a year in the past.  

Mikel Janin, Jerry Ordway and Scott Kolins combine on art again, each providing wonderful visuals for a distinct part of this time travel story.  Jerry Ordway’s work always recalls the Earth-Two stories of the ’80’s in All-Star Squadron and Infinity, Inc.  Besides being a fantastic comic book artist, this adds another nostalgic element to the series that is greatly appreciated.

Per Degaton is finally revealed and named in full as Selina Kyle Wayne plays an important role in the story.  The plot is developing nicely, but it is moving at a measured pace in order to provide space for the character development and world building that is so critical to a comic like this.  This isn’t “villain of the month,” and it shouldn’t read like it.

Negatives

The real question here is will this series based on so much history bring in new readers?

Verdict

The world building continues as Johns, Janin, Ordway and Kolins deliver another great issue of this new series.  The details bring out so much in the story as the nostalgia anchors the new elements.  This book looks great, it’s fun and by having Helena on a journey of discovery, it allows readers to see things through her eyes.  So if you don’t know what’s going on, neither does she and even a new reader can discover this corner of the DC Universe with her.

The post Review: Justice Society of America #2 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review CONTAINS spoilers]

Writer: Geoff Johns
Art: Mikel Janin (with Jerry Ordway, Scott Koins, Steve Lieber and Brandon Peterson)
Colors: Jordie Bellaire (with John Kalisz, Jordan Boyd, and Brandon Peterson)
Letters: Rob Leigh

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Helena Wayne, the Huntress is leading the JSA as an adult and she’s having some problems with membership.  After the murder of Khalid Nassour, Dr. Fate it gets even worse…  The villain stands revealed, but do you know his identity?  He’s not washing test tubes any longer…

Positives

Since the publication of Crisis on Infinite Earths #11 (February 1986), I’ve been crying along with Helena, Dick and Karen for the loss of the original Earth-Two in DC Comics continuity.  Don’t get me wrong, that is probably the single best issue of the entire series, it’s a brilliantly done comic by all involved. 

Over the ensuing years, there have been comics that have successfully added to the Golden Age legacies.  James Robinson’s brilliant Starman comes to mind first.  Of course, at the time of Earth-Two’s demise, Roy Thomas was still doing his best working in the contemporary legacy characters appearing in Infinity, Inc into the new post-Crisis DC Universe.  Yet, I’ve still wanted to see the return of the Earth-Two concept and Helena Wayne, Huntress, daughter of Batman and Catwoman.  Geoff Johns fed the fire when Power Girl’s original origin was restored in JSA Classified #1-4 (September-December 2005).  PG also had a fun and fond memory of her time on Earth-Two and her friendship with Helena in Superman/ Batman #27 (July 2006).   And, then in the wake of Infinite Crisis, Helena came back in a way.  She was on a parallel Earth that appeared to be the original Earth-Two had continuity continued on after the Crisis in Justice Society of America Annual (Volume 3) #1 (August 2008), and I have been confounded why this Earth was not explored further.  All the toys were put back in the box, why wasn’t anyone playing with them?  With Justice Society of America #1, and The New Golden Age #1, Geoff Johns has found a way to bring back Helena into not only DC Comics but the JSA as well as incorporate all eras of the team in some way.

Obviously, this is not the original Earth-Two Huntress.  Nor is it the Huntress from “The New 52” Earth 2 which was an admirable effort with the surprise reveal at the end of the Paul Levitz-penned mini-series.  Nor is it the Helena Wayne from the future that appears in Tom King’s Batman/ Catwoman series.  Although, in King’s story Bruce dies before Selina and this is what we have here.

Originally, Selina dies before Bruce in the original Earth-Two continuity.  And yet, Johns is able to lift the death of the Earth-Two Batman and use it in this first issue as part of Helena’s motivation.  Frederick Vaux is mentioned by Helena in a monologue, which is consistent with his death in Adventure Comics #462 (April 1979).  What’s not clear with all the time travel and jumping time periods is if the account Helena gives of Batman’s death is consistent with the references she makes in The New Golden Age #1.  One would expect them to be the same, but it’s not entirely clear yet.  Bottom line: the Helena Wayne Huntress is back in a real way with as many connections to her original incarnation as Geoff Johns can work in.

Positives Cont’d

On that note, at the end of Justice Society of America #1, we get some vignettes from different time periods that are drawn by the artists that handled the accompanying flashbacks in The New Golden Age #1.  One of these panels is the funeral for Batman which features a Dick Grayson looking like he appeared in his 70’s appearances in All-Star Comics and in Infinity, Inc. in the ’80s before the Crisis.

Though the image has what appears to be Hal Jordan, Wally West, and Courtney Whitmore (Stargirl) in attendance, it also has Earth-Two anomalies like what appears to be Diana and an aged Steve Trevor with Lyta Trevor (Fury) with them!!!  Plus, Superman’s chest logo is the Earth-Two version!  All these things help create nostalgia for a longtime reader and lover of all things Earth-Two.  It does slightly bring into question what’s going on with time, but the villain is known for that.  What’s really the question is, how does all this continuity exist in the current/future DCU?  I’m excited about it because I think Johns will give us a good story that incorporates it all as logically as possible.

Despite the villain having been revealed, there are a number of characters in this issue who are shrouded in mystery.  We met them in The New Golden Age #1 for the first time, much as Stargirl and Red Arrow’s quarries in the companion book Stargirl: The Lost Children were introduced in the same issue.

The connectivity that’s present in all three of these #1 issues is not only important but enjoyable.  It has ramifications on the greater DC Universe, which is significant because the Justice Society’s getting its importance restored.  It’s just as important that the historical aspect isn’t ignored as it’s critical to the team and the whole legacy concept in the DC Comics Universe.  It’s easy to slap “nostalgia’ all over this, but the sheer quantity of references and attention to the minutiae takes the issue above and beyond.

Even More Positives!

The art by Janin and Bellaire (as well as their guest collaborators as noted above) does a fantastic job of giving Helena’s story its own life.  It’s notable that this story unfolds through Helena’s point of view because it allows Janin and Bellaire to show Helena’s personality and emotion in her expressions and her movements.  How does the daughter of the Bat/Cat move?  Surely, it’s going to be unique.  The silhouette of her leaping from a window on page four references both Bruce and Selina, with a flashback of Selina on page one, placed closely for comparison. It’s an emotional journey for Helena and it’s great to see this in the art.  The tension between her and Selina is executed wonderfully as well.  The long shot of Selina’s head down on the sofa, after Helena walks out on her, communicates the scene wonderfully.  Plus, who doesn’t love an angry Power Girl!?!?!?   It’s done perfectly here as it’s one of the aspects of PG that is different and for which readers have an affinity.  

Johns has created a new JSA lineup for the future time in which seems dicey at first, but by the end of the issue, it’s hard not to want to see PG and Huntress wrangle them into shape.  I’d read that as a Gotham “Future State” book.  Helena and PG, together?  Hel(ena) yeah!  Plus, there’s so much potential with the new characters, we have to believe that the JSA will be saved from ALL points in time.

Negatives

There’s a lot in Justice Society of America #1.  It’s hard to see it objectively with the Easter Eggs intended for longtime readers and lovers of Golden Age/Earth-Two continuity.  As stated above, it would be a negative to kill off  Helena and PG’s makeshift JSA from the future.  Otherwise, there’s just nothing about this comic that isn’t outstanding.

Verdict

Justice Society of America #1 is important.  Much like All-Star Comics #3 and The Flash #123, this comic establishes something new.  For longtime readers, it may seem like re-establishing something, but that’s because it draws on so much of what has come before.  This series can easily be the beginning of an aspect of the DC Universe that doesn’t rely on Clark and Bruce as the foundations.  Sure, their shadows loom, but Helena, PG, and the rest of the JSA and their legacies are a draw independent of the mainstream DCU.  But, what happens here is foundational to the whole of the DC Universe.    We are in for a real treat based on the quality of this first issue.  Mystery, emotional depth, nostalgia, fun, unique characters- this is great stuff.  Period. 

The post Justice Society of America #1 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Tom King

Artist: Clay Mann

Colors: Tomeu Morey

Letters: Clayton Cowles

Reviewed By: Derek McNeil

Summary

Batman/Catwoman #12: Wedding bells are finally ringing for Batman and Catwoman! As our story concludes, the lovers prepare to take the next steps in their lives together by trading everlasting vows. The Bat/Cat wedding is here, and knowing Bruce and Selina, it’ll be anything but conventional. You won’t want to miss this final chapter of Tom King’s Batman epic!

Positives

Tom King has a reputation for writing soul-crushingly depressing stories. His “City of Bane” storyline in Batman brought us the death of Alfred Pennyworth. His Heroes in Crisis showed us Wally West killing Roy Harper and other heroes. And then there’s Batman #50.  In his Batman run, Bruce proposed to Catwoman and she accepted.

And it started to look like it might actually happen. This was fairly early on in the Rebirth era, when the whole line still had something of a hopeful tone. Superman and Lois’ marriage had recently been restored to continuity. We saw Selina picking a wedding dress. And DC was hyping the big wedding. But it wasn’t to be. The issue ended with Selina leaving Bruce at the altar.

But King stated that his Bat/Cat love story was still far from over. Even when his run on Batman was prematurely ended, he maintained it would still be properly finished in this series. However, the general tone of the series has not been terribly happy or optimistic. Bruce and Selina’s relationship hasn’t been great in the past or present timelines. And in the future timeline, Selina is Bruce’s widow. She kills the Joker and falls out with her daughter over it.

Positives Cont.

Batman/Catwoman #12 actually succeeds in turning this tone around and goes out with a joyous ending. This issue is Christmas for the readers – literally. The advent calendar shown at the beginning of each issue has reached the last day, reaching the big day. And the dark background behind the calendar is now white, underscoring the change in tone. The idea of using Christmas as a connecting theme for the miniseries was ingenious, and pays off tremendously this issue. And on a personal note, I love that the carol associated with this special chapter was “O Holy Night”, which was my mother’s favourite Christmas song.

And this issue is Tom King’s present to all the readers who have followed his Bat/Cat love story. King finally delivers the wedding we were promised way back in Batman #50. And the wedding is almost perfect in its execution. Bruce and Selina opt to get married immediately in a quickie wedding chapel that offers a “Batrimony” option. Thus, the officiant marries them while dressed in a cheap Batman costume, which happens to look exactly like the Adam West Batsuit. I was especially pleased with this little touch, as the 1966 Batman show was my entry into the world of Batman.

And I loved seeing the couple’s choice for witnesses to the ceremony. Bruce merely utters “Clark. We’re doing it. If you and lois want to… to attend… we’d… be happy… to have you.”, and the Kents immediately appear. I love how this displays the bond of friendship that exists between the two heroes, even though Bruce doesn’t like to express it.

And there are some delightful bits of humour in the issue as well. Bruce agrees to invite Lois and Clark, but first stipulates to Selina that, ” if he starts going on about hope again. I’m going to call this off and get the just-in-case rock”. Bruce is, of course, referring to the piece of Kryptonite Clark entrusted him with. And when Bruce presents their witnesses, the cashier, not realizing how appropriately, comments, “Super”.

Positives Cont.

Another nice touch was when future Selina describes the wedding ring Bruce gave her to Helena. As she tells her daughter, “It’s the #@$#@ diamond that he caught me stealing when we met on the boat!”. This connects the gem to the very first appearance of Selina way back in Batman #1 in 1940. And I noticed that Selina no longer argues that they first met on “the street” as shown in Frank Miller’s “Batman: Year One” (Batman #404, 1987). She now agrees with Bruce’s interpretation that they didn’t meet as their true selves until “the boat”.

Clay Mann adds some great touches in the artwork. I loved how a cat and a mouse move between the panels as Selina and Helena have their conversation. This gives a literal representation of their conversation as a cat-and-mouse game. And I loved the main cover with the various versions of Batman and Catwoman, both in-continuity and outside of it. And as I stated, the Advent Calendar and inclusion of the Adam West costume were also fantastic touches.

Negatives

There will likely be some readers that will say this special wedding issue is “too little, too late”. And they have a point. It’s too late in the sense that this is the story that DC promised them, back in Batman #50. That’s not King’s fault, though. I think that it’s most likely that DC got carried away with the marketing and got fans’ hopes up that the wedding would actually happen in that issue. This led to disappointment and a bit of a backlash against King’s story, despite the fact that it was meant as the midpoint, not the conclusion.

But it’s the “too little” part that I sympathize with. King’s story started in the regular Batman title, which made the aborted wedding part of the official DCU canon. However, this concluding chapter happens in a DC Black Label title, and it appears that it is not canon – at least not yet. At best, it’s a possible near-future timeline. I wish King had been allowed to complete this story in the main title, Then it would have cemented the story into the canon continuity and began a new era for the Batman.

Verdict

Despite the fact that this is not set in the canon DCU, it is still a fantastic story. Thanks to Tom King, Clay Mann, Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles for this special wedding issue. Batman/Catwoman #12 is quite possibly the best single issue of any comic I’ve read this year.

The post Review: Batman/Catwoman #12 (Final Issue) appeared first on DC Comics News.