Happy Thanksgiving, Newsarama readers! In case you’re not a football fan (or in case you’re not an American reader and just want to keep your ‘Rama routine going today), I thought I’d give you something to read while lazing through your tryptophan-induced slumber.
So here’s a set of Batman comics from DC Comics that I’ve read in the past couple days.
Batman Incorporated #1
Written by Grant Morrison
Penciled by Yanick Paquette
Inked by Michael Lacombe
Colored by Nathan Fairbairn
Lettered by John J. Hill
Cover art by J.H. Williams III or Paquette, Lacombe & Fairbairn
The new mission begins in earnest in Batman Incorporated #1, as Batman and Catwoman travel to Tokyo to train a Japanese Batman. Of course, Lord Death Man’s already killed Batman’s first choice, so they’ll have to improvise. Not much to complain about in an issue featuring catchy dialogue, a fun, fast pace, and sleek, dynamic superhero artwork from Paquette. I’m not sure Morrison’s new take on Batman will last any longer than his take on the X-Men, but it looks like it will be a fun ride while it lasts. Nice cliffhanger, with teases embedded right into it. I hope Morrison keeps that in his bag of tricks.
Batman: The Return
Written by Grant Morrison
Penciled by David Finch
Inked by Batt & Ryan Winn
Colored by Peter Steigerwald
Lettered by Dave Sharpe
In The Return, the recently returned-to-life/the present Bruce Wayne lays out his plan for the future of Batman. He also fights terrorists. Morrison’s got an interesting high concept for a 21st century superhero, and he writes some snappy dialogue. Although I’ve historically not been a fan of David Finch, and the artwork is over-rendered (particularly in the faces) for my tastes, the storytelling is clear and effective.
Batwoman #0
Written by J.H. Williams III & W. Haden Blackman
Illustrated by Williams III and Amy Reeder & Richard Friend
Colored by Dave Stewart
Lettered by Todd Klein
The upcoming Batwoman series is teased in this brief #0 issue (which also previews the new creative team on Detective Comics and shows penciled pages from Batwoman #1), and if the pages here are anything to base your impressions on, Batwoman is going to be a winner. Williams and Blackman do a fine job matching Greg Rucka’s militaristic approach to the narration, and artists Williams and Reeder, along with colorist Baron, give the book a striking graphic appeal. This series should be one to watch, even if the Cult of Crime thing doesn’t really grab me.
Detective Comics #871
Written by Scott Snyder
Illustrated by Jock & Francesco Francavilla
Colored by David Baron & Francavilla
Lettered by Jared K. Fletcher
Scott Snyder and Jock debut as the new creators on Detective Comics (the issue is also teased in Batwoman #0), and it’s Dick Grayson in the lead role, as Batman and as Wayne Enterprises’ public face in their partnership with the Gotham Police Department. Snyder puts Batman in a mysterious plot suited to the comic’s title, and Jock’s stylized artwork may rub some readers the wrong way, but I love his pages’ unfinished, emotionally intense punchiness. The Francavilla-drawn Commissioner Gordon back-up story is brief and difficult to judge based on the groundwork laid in these few pages, but the script and strong layouts offer promise.
Batman #704
Written & Illustrated by Tony Daniel
Colored by Ian Hannin
Lettered by Jared K. Fletcher
Batman #704 begins Tony Daniel’s run as the writer and artist on the long-running serial. Dick Grayson’s in the title role, charged with protecting Gotham while Bruce deals with the big picture. Daniel does a solid job giving Grayson a more upbeat persona than you usually see in Batman, though his dialogue’s much stiffer than Morrison’s. Inking himself, Daniel’s art is loose and kinetic, though the layouts could be sharper.
November 26th, 2010 at 9:47 am
I haven’t been to my LCS in a few weeks… Did the new Bat-book “The Dark Knight” come out yet? I thought it was supposed to come out in November, but I haven’t seen any reviews of it. It’s really the only current Batman monthly I might be interested in reading, if it’s any good.
November 26th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Don’t know, Shaun. If I ever get a review copy of it, however, I’ll tell you what I think.
November 26th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Thanks, Michael. I put issue #1 on my (ever shrinking) pull list, so if it has come out I’ll find out then too. I’d like to see a review though!
November 29th, 2010 at 10:29 am
It’s a shame Batwoman #0 was so short for $3. I felt ripped off even though the story was good.
January 17th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
I must know where you got your layout from im trying to start my own blog and yours is the coolest.
January 17th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
The layout is what really caught my eye, then the i looked at the writing and i think you did a very nice job. Good work:)