Comics of the Week

The final issues of four Batman books came out this week. Each ended in its own way, and not necessarily for the best. Although there are still two more weeks to go until the DC reboot, this week felt like the last week to me, as the books left to end have not been my favorites.

Batgirl #26 was going to be difficult, no matter how you cut it. The character has the most uncertain future in the new reboot. Stephanie Brown will not be Batgirl in September, and we really don't even know if she'll be at all. I get the sense that Bryan Q. Miller had big plans for this book and the reboot decision really threw him off the rails. The previous issue was a lot of fun and seemed to be building towards a climax, but it was clear going into this issue that it was a climax that would have been nearly impossible to pull off in one issue. Instead, we have a story that reaches more of a stop than an end. I can't really say I blame Miller for the sentimental and somewhat meta touches at the end, though I'm not sure they came off too well. I sincerely hope he is given a chance in the coming months, to write another big book for DC, because some of the best books in the past two years were Batgirl issues.

Batman and Robin, as a series, has gone through several changes. It started with Grant Morrison on a very high note, bringing a freshness to the concept that was much needed. The character of Damian, in particular, was developed into one of the more interesting characters in the DCU, mostly in this title. Even as creative teams changed, the book always maintained a certain energy, thanks to the relationship between Dick and Damian. This relationship is what I will miss most in the new DCU. This issue, by David Hine and Geg Tocchini was interesting. Rather than giving us an ending, it's just another story, and a crazy one at that. What I think they managed to do was to subtly give a nod to the surreality of Morrison that was somehow all their own. The art didn't work in a few places and there could have been more focus on the Dick and Damien relationship, but I think just telling another story was a bold choice to take with this book.

Tim Drake is a badass. Throughout this series that's never been in doubt. As a whole, the series had it's ups and downs, but was always solid even during the few issues that weren't terribly exciting. Fabien Nicieza made a different choice than Miller and Hine in ending this series. He didn't go with sentiment and also didn't go with just another story. This story was not just a regular adventure for Red Robin. This was about a moment of truth for him and one that ends on an ambiguous note. At the end of this issue, reboot or not, Tim has a lot of decisions to make about what kind of man he is going to be, what kind of hero. He needs to decide what the balance is between vengeance and justice. He's always been the Robin that was most like Bruce but here he shows he is his own man or is at least on the verge of being his own man. It would have been interesting to see where Nicieza would have gone next with this character. I will miss this book.

I ran out of great things to say about Scott Snyder, Jock and Francisco Francavilla on Detective Comics several issues back. I repeat that this will be considered one of the greatest comic runs in history for years to come. This issue was no exception, ending the story just as strong as it started, if not stronger. Ending a title that has been around for 70 years on such a high note is a huge accomplishment. The tension that had been built throughout the run was not squandered by rushing the ending, which is a common problem. Snyder has proven himself to be a master storyteller, start to finish, with this. He took his time in all the right places and delivered a surprising and satisfying ending to both the stories of James Gordon and Dick Grayson.The art on this issue featured both Jock and Francavilla, in a seamless interaction of styles. This is an incredibly rare thing. In most cases, two artists working on one book, even when both are brilliant, can be jarring. At the end of the day, I don't really care who did what, because they are both masters and the results speak for themselves. It will be interesting to see Snyder on Batman in September, writing Bruce Wayne.

Comics of the Week

Batman and Robin #23 brings in Judd Winick and Guillem March for a new arc involving Jason Todd. After some quick flashbacks reminding us who Jason was and his relationship to Bruce, the opening scene between Jason and BatBruce in Arkham is pretty good. They hadn't seen each other since Bruce's return, and Bruce's disappointment with Jason and himself, comes through in his silence. Overall, this was a well written book, and the sections with Jason in prison were very economically plotted, which highlights what a real badass Jason is. The colors in this, by Alex Sinclair, are like watching an HD movie for the first time, searing your retinas with impossible brightness.

As expected, I'm hooked with Batman Gates of Gotham #1. Interestingly, this book isn't written only by Scott Snyder. The credits tells us the story is by Snyder and Kyle Higgins with dialogue by Higgins. I have no idea what that means as far as who did what in the end, but either way, it works. This is basically a story about Gotham City's history, opening with the engineer who built some of the tallest buildings back in the 1800's. Trevor McCarthy's art is perfect for this, with lines that give the whole book a kind of industrial feel, while still remaining fluid. Meanwhile, back in the present day, BatDick has been working with Red Robin and Commissioner Gordon on a case. I like that we come into the case already in progress, as a new twist is uncovered. By the end of this first issue, Cassandra Cain shows up with more pieces of the puzzle. The interplay between Dick and Tim is always a high point in a Batbook when done well and that's the case here. Toss in a little Damian and it's gold. Not to mention a moment that is gruesome and nails down the stakes of, not just this story, but everything Batman does. It's a vivid metaphor for the weight the Batfamily, and I guess all these heroes take on in choosing to do what they do.

Comics of the Week - So Far

Maybe I unknowingly left the best for last, but I have 3 books left to read this week and I still haven't been knocked out by anything. They haven't been horrible (for the most part), but they haven't wowed me either. Here's some of what I've read.

Superman #710 - I actually stopped reading it several pages in and skipped to the ending to get to the point. Bruce and Clark in the past, with a retcon of how they first met, before they were Superman and Batman. The problem is, we get a different version of their first meeting every so often and it just becomes the same thing over and over again. Let's move on.

Batgirl #20 was solid, with a couple of fun moments, but not nearly as much fun as it has been in previous issues. This wrapped up the two part arc started last issue, with Stephanie and Proxy on their own in a brand new, high tech HQ courtesy of Batman Inc. This may actually be the best issue of the week for me, so far. Batgirl has really come into her own and now is a contender in Gotham, without Oracle watching over
her. She's grown up and I look forward to reading more.

 
Red Robin #22. Tim Drake is a badass. Really, that's all you need to know. There have been better issues of this series though. However, there are some really great moments that detail just how much of a badass Tim is. Overall, it was solid, and no complaints. I can't say I was blown away by anything though. In coming issues, he'll be dealing with Ra's al Ghul, which was great fun the last time it happened when this series first started.

 G.I. Joe Vol. 2 #0. Yeah, that numbering can be a little confusing. This is basically an intro to what's to come in IDW's G.I. Joe line after the death of Cobra Commander. They are starting all the numbering from scratch, which I'm not sure is necessary. However, this line of books has not disappointed me yet. This wasn't a full issue, though. It was several small preludes to the new series, tying directly from the previous titles. Not enough to sink into in any story, but certainly enough to whet your appetite or get a feel for what this is all about. I am really looking forward to the full 

relaunch in the coming months.