Month: September 2022

Written by Chip Zdarsky

Art by Carmine Di Giandomenico; Ivan Plascencia; & Pat Brosseau

Cover Art by Carmine Di Giandomenico

SUMMARY:

In this ten-issue series, DC Comics released this 40-page installment for September 2022.  Meant for older teens and up, it’s simply titled “The Knight, Part 7.”  This flashback tale explores the end of young Bruce Wayne’s apprenticeship with trusted family friends: Giovanni “John” Zatara, and his daughter, fellow magical protégé Zatanna Zatara. 

Bruce demonstrates considerable promise as the legendary magician’s potential successor, though a widowed Zatara is now an embittered alcoholic.  Prying childhood friend Bruce from her boozing father, Zatanna & Bruce enjoy a New York City date night.

Meanwhile, a demonic adversary of Zatara’s is hungrily collecting souls of new innocent victims.  To Zatanna’s disgust, her father is apathetic to stopping this formidable supernatural threat once and for all.  Moving past his naïve, Scooby-Doo-like assumptions re: magic, Bruce now risks adding a mastery of real magic to his growing arsenal. 

Making himself tempting bait, Bruce joins Zatanna in facing off vs. this monstrous demon.  Nonetheless, it becomes a terrifying showdown that could easily destroy these future Justice Leaguers. 

Note: Though the image isn’t available here, artist Riccardo Federici produced the variant cover.

REVIEW:

In young Bruce Wayne’s latest trial, Chip Zdarsky concocts a potent fantasy-horror tale adding further depth to the future Batman’s kinship with Zatanna Zatara.  Equal to the task is the art squad’s excellent visuals (i.e. the cover image) bringing to life Bruce’s first battle against occult forces. 

Even if the plot is something of an anachronism (as far as establishing Batman’s initial contact with demons), Batman: The Knight # 7 is still a dynamite read.  Definitely recommended!        

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There’s a poignant three-page homage to comics artist/writer Neal Adams from his peers.  The “DC Nation Interview” starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson hypes DC League of Super-Pets.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    8 Stars

Written by (See Below)

Art by (See Below)

Cover Art by Nikola Ĉižmešija  

SUMMARY:

DC Comics released this 64-page issue for July 2022.  This Bat-anthology continues three storylines and adds a single team-up tale, which are:

1. Batman & Zatanna Zatara: “Bound to Our Will” (Part 5 of 6: 22 pages).  Writer: Vita Ayala.  Artists: Nikola Ĉižmešija; Nick Filardi; & Steve Wands.  With Batman & John Constantine trapped together in a mystical dimension, it’s up to Zatanna to initiate their shared dual-attack against their mystical foes.  Hints infer a potential romantic triangle between Constantine, Zatanna, and the Dark Knight. 
2. Batman & Plastic Man: “Bending the Rules” (10 pages).  Writer: Joey Esposito.  Artists: Jason Howard & Pat Brosseau.  Plastic Man has a personal motive for interfering in Batman’s latest manhunt.  Meanwhile, KGBeast is their imminent opposition per the bounty he has accepted from the Penguin.  The Joker also makes an appearance. 
3. Birds of Prey: “Memory Lane” (Part 2 of 3: 10 pages): Writer: Che Grayson.  Artists: Serge Acuña; Ivan Plascencia; & Josh Reed.  A Birds squad (primarily, Katana & Shiva) continue to hunt down the perpetrators behind  an addictive virtual reality device dubbed ‘Memory Lane’ hidden in cell phones.  Yet, does the mind-altering mission turn the Birds against one another?   
4. Batman & Ace the Bat-Hound: “Hounded: Bear Witness” (Part 5 of 6: 22 pages).  Writer: Mark Russell.  Artists: Karl Mostert; Trish Mulvihill; & Steve Wands.  Ace leads his makeshift animal posse to rescue a captive Batman.  Meanwhile, an injured Dark Knight is forced into caged combat vs. one of Ace’s furry friends.  Worse yet, the Joker makes an ominous move.     

Note: Though their images aren’t available here, there are two variant covers: artists Karl Mostert & Trish Mulvihill (“Hounded”) and artist Riley Rossmo (“Batman & Plastic Man”). 

REVIEW:

The sole caveat is that the Birds of Prey caper possibly includes too many players to keep track of all who’s who.  Otherwise, Batman: Urban Legends # 15 delivers all the necessary storytelling goods, in terms of both its scripting (even some humor) and likable visuals.  This issue is well-played!  

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

It’s more like a lack thereof; thankfully, there aren’t any ads.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                7½ Stars

Written by (See Below)

Art by (See Below)

Cover Art by Karl Mostert & Trish Mulvihill

SUMMARY:

DC Comics released this 64-page issue for April 2022.  Meant for older teens and up, this Bat-anthology continues four separate storylines, which are:

1. Batman & Zatanna Zatara: “Bound to Our Will” (Part 2 of 6: 22 pages).  Writer: Vita Ayala.  Artists: Nikola Ĉižmešija; Nick Filardi; & Steve Wands.  As their old demonic foe grows stronger, emotional strain is fraying the  personal bond between Zatanna and a wounded Dark Knight.  A new wildcard enters this conflict.
2. Wight Witch: “Stigma” (Part 2 of 3: 10 pages).  Writer: Ram V.  Artist: Anand Radhakrishnan (AnandRK).  More of young Rhea’s bleak transformation into the Wight Witch is revealed. 
3. Eternity: “Eternity in Gotham” (Part 2 of 3: 10 pages): Writer: Mohale Mashigo.  Artists: Arist Deyn & Saida Temofonte.  Prodded by his neighbor, Regina, Chris Freeman probes the homicide of their fellow resident, Hannah.  Yet, Hannah’s partially amnesiac ghost may lead Chris to a shocking discovery.  Note: Visually, Hannah resembles Poison Ivy.
4. Batman & Ace the Bat-Hound: “Hounded: The Furnace” (Part 2 of 6: 22 pages).  Writer: Mark Russell.  Artists: Karl Mostert; Trish Mulvihill; & Steve Wands.  Ace is held captive in a facility meant to recondition and/or experiment animals for sinister purposes.  It’s up to the Dark Hound to lead an uprising in his quest for freedom.  Meanwhile, an injured and also-captive Batman faces interrogation in the basement of the ominous Club Siberia.     

Note: Though their images aren’t available here, there are two variant covers: artist Jorge Molina (“Batman & Zatanna”) and artist AnandRK (“Wight Witch”). 

REVIEW:

Issue # 11’s impressive quality carries over to this issue.  Across the board, the darkly-themed plotting and visuals are effectively rendered.  Still, the Batman tales surpass the shorter tales, in terms of benefitting from ‘star power.’  Batman: Urban Legends # 12, as a whole, delivers a most satisfying read.  For mature Bat-fans, this issue is recommended.     

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

It’s more like a lack thereof; thankfully, there aren’t any ads.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:               8 Stars

Written by (See Below)

Art by (See Below)

Cover Art by Jorge Molina

SUMMARY:

DC Comics released this 64-page issue for March 2022.  Meant for older teens and up, this Bat-anthology begins four new storylines, which are:

1. Batman & Zatanna Zatara: “Bound to Our Will” (Part 1 of 6: 22 pages).  Writer: Vita Ayala.  Artists: Nikola Ĉižmešija; Nick Filardi; & Steve Wands.  Departing a Justice League meeting, Batman & Zatanna commence their annual mission to again push back a mystical foe they once inadvertently summoned as teenagers.  Hoping they can make it the final time, the Justice Leaguers find out their lethal demonic foe has the same idea.
2. Wight Witch: “Stigma” (Part 1 of 3: 10 pages).  Writer: Ram V.  Artists: Anand Radhakrishnan; John Pearson; & Aditya Bidikar.  The assassin’s murky past is slowly revealed, including her link to a young Bruce Wayne. 
3. Eternity: “Eternity in Gotham” (Part 1 of 3: 10 pages): Writer: Mohale Mashigo.  Artists: Arist Deyn & Saida Temofonte.  Now re-established in Gotham City in its Coroner’s Office, enigmatic Christopher Freeman meets an alluring neighbor, who is destined for a grisly fate.  Note: Despite an uncanny resemblance, this neighbor isn’t Poison Ivy.
4. Batman & Ace the Bat-Hound: “Hounded: The Trap” (Part 1 of 6: 22 pages).  Writer: Mark Russell.  Artists: Karl Mostert; Trish Mulvihill; & Steve Wands.  In Gotham’s Little Leningrad neighborhood, an overconfident Batman and Ace infiltrate the dilapidated Romanov Hotel expecting to rescue human trafficking victims.  Instead, it’s an ominous ruse that leave the Dark Knight (and the Dark Hound) to uncertain fates.   

Note: Though their images aren’t available here, there are two variant covers: artists Karl Mostert & Trish Mulvihill (“Hounded”) and artist Arist Deyn (“Eternity”). 

REVIEW:

Given the creative talent involved, it’s unsurprising that the Batman tales are the most compelling reads. In both instances, the darkly-themed scripting and the accompanying visuals are commendable.  Suffice to say, they’re definitely well-played opening salvos. 

As to the two shorter stories, each sports nebulous scripting, but where they leave off suggests tantalizing potential, as seen in their stylish artwork.  Overall, Batman: Urban Legends # 11 gives Bat-fans their money’s worth and then some.  Definitely recommended!     

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

It’s more like a lack thereof; thankfully, there aren’t any ads.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 8 Stars