Month: November 2022

Written by Bruce Jones.

Art by Ariel Olivetti & Phil Balsman.

Cover Art by Ariel Olivetti & Mauro Cascioli.

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Darker Than Death,” DC Comics released this issue for October 2006.  It serves as the midpoint of a five-part whodunnit.  Upon rescuing an abducted Lilith Rutledge (and risking his secret identity), Batman finds another grisly clue.  Tauntingly, a second human finger has been left by the kidnappers of Lilith’s younger sister, Janie, being held for ransom.  In emotional shock, Lilith swears off anything to do with either Bruce Wayne or Batman, if only to spare Janie’s life.

Alfred advises Batman of another missing woman who vanished the same night as Janie Rutledge: a pregnant maid for tycoon Charles Billingsworth.  The two women are ominously linked having been present at the same Billingsworth party the night that Janie disappeared. 

Already frustrated over his failure to find Janie, an injured Batman confronts the dangerous exotic dancer, Tiki Rivera, at the underground nightclub known as ‘The Fount,’ hoping her mob-affiliated employer has some necessary answers.  Disturbing clues obtained from The Fount send the Dark Knight after Billingsworth himself.  

REVIEW:

Typical of DC Comics, it does not bother with a parental advisory label considering this issue’s macabre themes.  Co-mingling hard-boiled detective noir with contemporary sleaze, writer Bruce Jones exploits a welcome advantage of unexpected plot twists.  Still, the Fount sequence where Batman throws (or merely allows) a potential witness to break her legs falling through one floor to the next is brutal — even for an irritated and emotionally compromised Dark Knight. 

Matching Jones’ gritty storytelling is the art squad’s high-caliber visuals.  Given such assets, Issue # 209 makes tracking down the other four issues or hoping to find it compiled in trade paperback form a tantalizing prospect.  For mature Bat-fans, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight # 209 is like reading Raymond Chandler’s or Mickey Spillane’s take on Gotham City.      

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Dan DiDio’s “DC Nation” column includes thumbnail cover reveals for Nightwing # 123; Superman # 655; Martian Manhunter # 1; and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight # 210.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        8 Stars

Written by Archie Goodwin.

Art by (See Below).

Cover Art by Joe Quesada; Jimmy Palmiotti; Electric Crayon; Digital Chameleon; & Willie Schubert.

SUMMARY:

Released by DC Comics for October 1994, this issue utilizing a multitude of artists is simply entitled “Viewpoint.”  On a dark and stormy night seventy miles outside Gotham City, sinister publishing tycoon Randolph Spire recruits a group of journalists-for-hire to his mansion.  Spire’s most well-known tabloid is “Viewpoint.”  Of all the celebrity legends he has supposedly exposed, Spire wants these journalists to bring him Batman’s secret. 

Meanwhile, Batman is presently probing the explosive demise of a group of international business executives targeted at a Gotham City luncheon.  

At Spire’s remote castle-like lair, one journalist among them lays out various (and seemingly demonic) perceptions of the Dark Knight, much to their host’s distaste.  Yet, what grim fate awaits Batman’s latest adversary lurking among them?   

This issue utilizes preview material (including their storyline titles) from future issues of Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight.  The art team consists of: Vince Giarrano (pages 1, 4-5, 7-8, and 21-24); David Williams & Karl Kesel (pages 2-3); Tony Salmons (page 6); Mike Zeck (pages 9-10); Scott Hampton (page 11); Tim Sale (page 12); Mark Badger (page 13); Brian Murray (page 14); Joe Staton & Steve Mitchell (page 15); John Watkiss (page 16); Ted McKeever (page 17); Carlos Ezquerra (page 18); Frank Gomez (page 19 – pin-up only); and Phil Winslade (page 20: pin-up only).  

Note: DC’s other three Bat-titles use their own Issue # 0’s to convey a jumping-aboard checkpoint by reviewing Batman’s origin.  Specifically, those titles are: Batman; Detective Comics; and Batman: Shadow of the Bat.  By comparison, this issue resembles an overview with a more sophisticated brand of storytelling. 

REVIEW:

The main plot device is a noir genre cliché, but uncredited scribe Archie Goodwin, at least, delivers the necessary goods.  Devising a narrative framework justifying its plethora of different visual looks, Goodwin frankly has the easy task.  The real value of this Issue # 0 obviously comes from a festival of Bat-artists showcasing their own enigmatic takes on the Dark Knight. 

Even if this tale’s grim plot twist is hardly a surprise, the issue still offers a welcome treat for Bat-fans.  

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The artistic credits reveal the specific visual source for each individual page.  There is a two-page letters-and-answers column, including Goodwin’s brief tribute to his late colleague, Neal Pozner.  “DC Universe # 20” depicts Clark Kent’s Daily Planet ‘front page’ exclusive signaling the end of Zero Hour.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   7½ Stars

Written by Ty Templeton.

Art by Brandon Kruse; Rick Burchett; Roberta Tewes; & Tim Harkins.

Cover Art by Ty Templeton & Linda Medley.

SUMMARY:

Entitled “To Live and Die in Gotham City,” DC Comics released this issue for November 1996.  With help of his young friend (and petty thief), Giovanni, a recuperating Bane vengefully abducts Gotham City crime boss Rupert Thorne and his treacherous ex-girlfriend, Candice.  As a ‘gift’ to the Dark Knight, Bane offers his prizes for the Dynamic Duo to come and get them.  It is up to Batman & Robin to neutralize an incensed Bane in time to rescue the hostages.

REVIEW:

Although the story is not worthy of an animated episode, Ty Templeton’s scripting at least delivers a decent read.  The art squad’s visuals are more than up to the task.  In terms of kid-friendliness, there are Bane’s death threats re: his hostages and an off-hand reference to Candice’s boredom watching an elderly woman’s homicide for parents to be aware of. 

The Batman & Robin Adventures # 12, otherwise, lives up to the context of the animated series.  It just isn’t a must-have.      

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Along with the “Watch This Space # 29” page, there is a two-page letters-and-answers column.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      5 Stars

Written by Mark Waid & George Pérez.

Art by George Pérez; Bob Wiacek; Tom Smith; & Bob Leigh.

Cover Art by George Pérez & Tom Smith.

SUMMARY:

Released by DC Comics for April 2007, this premiere issue is entitled “The Lord of Luck: Roulette, Chapter One.”  In orbit above Earth and in the Batcave, Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern and Batman simultaneously encounter a bizarre murder-mystery with one unidentified corpse and its sixty-three duplicates.  It appears that the decedent, prior to his homicide from a single bullet wound, was desperately attempting to contact any super-hero for help. 

A subsequent surprise attack upon them in the Batcave leads Batman & Green Lantern to conduct undercover surveillance at the Kismet Casino in Las Vegas.  Confronting criminal underworld gambler, Roulette, the two Justice Leaguers are caught up in a fiery showdown with two alien marauders. Their prize is an elusive, all-knowing book that could wreak havoc on the cosmos itself.

REVIEW:

Slickly produced, this franchise reboot depicts Bruce Wayne and Hal Jordan’s first classic team-up in at least thirteen years.  Enhanced by the art squad’s top-caliber visuals, this storyline’s first salvo plays out with some intriguing twists. 

The Brave and the Bold # 1 impressively does everything right splitting hero time equally for its two stars without compromising the plot.  More so, this issue is recommended for those fans who enjoy Bruce & Hal’s enduring chemistry as DC icons in a contemporary context.  Absolutely well-played!       

Note: In an adversarial role suspiciously accepting Hal’s resurrection, Batman previously appears in the Green Lantern: Rebirth mini-series and later Green Lantern # 9.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Dan DiDio’s “DC Nation” column includes thumbnail cover reveals for 52 # 42; Helmet of Fate: Black Alice # 1; and Green Lantern’s team-up with Supergirl in The Brave and the Bold # 2.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     8½ Stars

Written by Fabian Nicieza.

Art by Don Kramer; J. Calafiore; Mark McKenna; Steve Wands; & JD Smith.

Cover Art by José Ladrönn.

SUMMARY:

Released by DC Comics for July 2009, this one-shot is self-titled.  With Bruce Wayne’s Batman nowhere to be found, there is a criminal underworld uprising in Gotham City.  With Tim Drake hospitalized and Nightwing searching for an unhinged Jason Todd, it is up to Barbara “Oracle” Gordon to assume tactical command.  Hugo Strange and the Deuce brothers have brazenly set up an illicit gambling racket.  Their betting game is: which of three kidnapping victims will Oracle’s squadron rescue in time and leave the other two to grisly fates? 

Pitting wits and technological know-how vs. Strange, Oracle deploys two teams: Huntress & Batgirl and Misfit; Ragman; & Manhunter in a literal race with the clock.  Among their adversaries is a trio of Batman impostors.  Ultimately, Strange is challenging whoever the new Batman is.  Oracle’s united forces must provide the next best thing.      

Note: Oracle’s network includes Nightwing (verbal cameo only); Tim Drake’s Robin (no appearance); Black Canary; Huntress; Cassandra Cain’s Batgirl; Ragman; Metamorpho; Kate Spencer’s Manhunter; Knight & Squire; Wildcat; Misfit; Lady Blackhawk; Man-Bat; Spoiler; Grace; & El Gaucho.  Appearing in a cameo, Catwoman is an unofficial member.

REVIEW:

Essentially, this one-shot is a Bat-spinoff crossover bonanza where a seasoned Oracle easily wins the MVP.  Overcoming a blah cover image, this issue’s art squad consistently delivers excellent visuals.  More so, Fabian Nicieza conjures up an intriguing plot where multiple Bat-allies must equal one Dark Knight to thwart Strange’s multi-tiered sicko scheme. 

Suffice to say, Battle for the Cowl: The Network # 1 is well-played for what it meant to do.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Dan DiDio’s “DC Nation” column includes a sneak cover peek at Batman: Battle for the Cowl # 3.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   7 Stars

Written by Judd Winick.

Art by Paul Lee; Cam Smith; Alex Sinclair; & Phil Balsman.

Cover Art by Matt Wagner.

SUMMARY:

Released by DC Comics for July 2005, the issue is entitled “Family Reunion, Part 2: While the Cat’s Away.” The enigmatic Red Hood (whose vernacular resembles Spider-Man’s sarcasm) joins Onyx on a late-night warehouse raid in Gotham City.  Yet, the Hood’s shockingly lethal tactics leaves Onyx in a precarious predicament.  Meanwhile, after teaming up to foil some corporate sabotage, Batman demands insight from Superman about his resurrection. 

REVIEW:

Aside from the peculiar title (should it not be “While the Bat’s Away”?), Batman # 640 does not accomplish much.  Batman’s scenes prodding Superman are more about reinforcing the Dark Knight’s nagging doubts than moving any semblance of plot forward.  As to Onyx’s team-up with the Red Hood, the last-page twist is intriguing, but it is not necessarily enough to persuade casual readers to come back for more.

Overall, Batman # 640 supplies good artwork, but its middling plot is likely better read in a trade paperback vs. the single issue.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Penned by a supposed ‘mole,’ the “DC in Demand” column includes thumbnail cover reveals for Green Lantern # 1; Year One: Batman/Scarecrow # 1; Outsiders # 24; and Batman # 641.  A dubious bonus is a multi-page insert ad hyping the movie stars of The Longest Yard remake.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        5 Stars