This Week in Gotham #89

Tags

Batgirl #9, Batman, Batman Beyond #6, tective Comics #953

This week is all about assassins and crime lords.  The three books we are looking at today are Detective Comics #953, Batman Beyond #6, and Batgirl #9. 

Cassandra Cain is out for revenge while half the Bat team have been kidnapped in Detective Comics #953. A lot happens in this issue that makes it difficult to keep track of what is going on.  None of these sub-stories are bad, it is just too much at once.  That being said there is one scene in the beginning with Commissioner Gordon that was completely pointless. 

In the far future the League of Assassins is still a pain in the backside for Batman in Batman Beyond #6.  A lot of this comic is set-up and epilogue.  They made this comic to be an epilogue to the previous story arc while also being the first chapter of a new story arc.  Unlike Detective Comics this comic does not feel over cramped.  I just wonder if it is a good idea to have two different League of Assassin’s story lines going on at the same time.

Batgirl uses the opportunity to date her new boyfriend to see what he is secretly up to in Batgirl #9.  The main plot for this story is really well written and there is not to talk about on that side of the comic.  However, there is a sub-plot where Barbara Gordon talks to one of her friends about a personal matter that is greatly written.  The problem is this scene feels out of a place and there is no pay-off to the scene at all.

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This Week in Gotham #88

Tags

All Star *Batman #8, Batman, Batman #19, Batwoman #1, Nightwing #17, Super Sons #2

It’s St. Patrick’s Day!  Do me a favour and have a drink for me as I can’t drink.  This week we have five books, Batman #19, All Star *Batman #8, Nightwing #17, Batwoman #1, and Super Sons #2.

Can the inmates of Arkham Asylum delay Bane enough that Batman can save Gotham Girl’s sanity in Batman #19?  While enjoyed this issue there is about a dozen things I would have liked if it was written differently.   This whole story arc feels awkward to me and I think it is because that the author is focusing more on Bane than on Batman.

Batman attacks the base of the Mad Hatter in All Star*Batman #8.  If you ever wanted to try acid, read this book instead!  The story is very enjoyable but the art makes you feel uncomfortable due to how utterly bizarre it is.  I’m pretty sure that the writer and artist intended for this effect but I’m not sure.

Nightwing and Robin go on the hunt for Nightwing’s girlfriend to rescue her in Nightwing #17.  I love this whole series and this issue just made me fall in love with it even more, however, there is one point in the story where I thought they could do a lot more character development for Robin. 

Ghost from Kate Kane’s past comes back to haunt her as she hunts down the remainder of the Monster Venom in Batwoman #1.  Before I say anything about the story I am so glad that the author brought back Julia Pennyworth, Alfred’s daughter.  She was a great addition to Batman Eternal and I’m so happy we can see the next part of her character arc.  As for the story itself, this is a great start to a new story.  We have mystery and action.  The one thing I’m going to complain about is that an aspect of her character was not being touched on is this issue and I don’t know how the writer can incorporate this aspect in the future without it feeling awkward. 

Super Boy and Robin get caught out late by Lex Luther in Super Sons #2.  This issue made me laugh because it reminded me of an episode of Pinky and the Brain.  I’m amazed at how well this team-up between Super Boy and Robin works.  Super Boy is trying to be the best son in the world while Robin is a total brat sometimes. 

 

This Week in Gotham #87

Tags

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #8, Batman, Detective Comics #952, Gotham Academy Second Semester #7, Red Hood and Outlaws #8

The theme of this week is “bad luck”.  We have four books to look at this week and they are Detective Comics #952, Red Hood and Outlaws #8, Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #8, and Gotham Academy Second Semester #7. 

When the League of Shadows leader reveals herself a secret comes out that shocks Cassandra Cain to her core in Detective Comics #952.  This issue was enjoyable however the reveal was obvious from the first page.  I’m not going to say anything about the reveal since I want you to be as surprised as possible.  The one thing I was surprised about is the ending and what the Bat Family has to do next.

Artimus discovers her best friend is still alive in Red Hood and the Outlaws #8.  Artimus is a character that has been in the series since issue 1 but more of a side character and this issue changed the focus on to her.  I’m very glad that Artimus has some good character development but I’m worried that it’s a bit late in the series.  This whole series so far has been primarily focused on the Red Hood.  I don’t know how the majority of readers will react to the change of focus.

Nightwing seeks the help of the Birds of Prey in Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #8.  Unfortunately this is not a crossover with the current Nightwing story line that I really enjoyed.  This doesn’t mean it is a bad issue, it just means I have no clue where in the time line this story takes place.  My favourite thing about this issue is that it does tie up some loose ends that were left over from the series Grayson.

Olivia‘s world is turned upside down after a discovery that changes everything in Gotham Academy Second Semester #7.  After believing that she murdered her friend Tristan she runs away from her friends to learn about her mysterious room-mate.  While this sounds confusing if you read this issue you are not going to be disappointed.  Can’t tell you much other than that.

 

This Week in Gotham #86

Tags

Batman, Batman #18, Nightwing #16

We only have two books this week, Batman #18 and Nightwing #16.  One of the comics is really great, the other is forgettable.

While Batman and Bane are fighting there are flashbacks of each of their childhoods in Batman #18.  There are some similarities however I don’t know how much of their origin stories have been rewritten to fit the current story line.  The flashbacks were the most interesting part of the comic but the rest of the story was forgettable.

Nightwing has to deal with Damion Wayne and relationship issues in Nightwing #16.  I enjoyed this issue a lot however I think the beginning of this comic was mostly filler.  I hope this story is going to be as good as the previous one.  There are direction this story could go and I’m very excited to see what happens next.