Month: December 2022

Written by Neil Gaiman.

Art by Andy Kubert; Scott Williams; Alex Sinclair; & Jared K. Fletcher.

Cover Art by Andy Kubert & Dave Stewart.

SUMMARY:

Released by DC Comics for April 2009, this 48-page issue is entitled “Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?, Part 1 of 2: The Beginning of the End.”  One night, at Gotham’s seedy Dew Drop Inn, an illustrious array of guests attend the Dark Knight’s open casket funeral.  Among them are: Selina “Catwoman” Kyle; Alfred Pennyworth; Two-Face; Commissioner Gordon and his daughter, Barbara; the Joker; Harvey Bullock; Renee Montoya; the Penguin; Ra’s al Ghul; the Mad Hatter; Harley Quinn; Kirk Langstrom; and Dick Grayson.

Evidently excluding the Justice League, there is a long line of Bat-villains still waiting to get in. Strangely enough, it appears there are at least two Selina Kyle’s, two Alfred’s, possibly two Harley Quinn’s, and even a cameo by the Joker from Batman: The Animated Series.  It is not revealed whether these counterparts all co-exist in this dream-like world, or if one counterpart enigmatically replaces another previously seen.

Invited to be the one who explains ‘who finally got ’im,’ an aging Selina Kyle (evidently, she is a version of the Golden Age Catwoman) first explains her doomed romance with the Dark Knight.  Entitled “The Cat-Woman’s Tale,” Batman’s tragic end ultimately mirrors the end of the 1976 film, Robin & Marian. 

Next, as entitled “The Gentleman’s Tale,” a decrepit Alfred Pennyworth describes how he and his old acting buddies cleverly devised a group of colorfully ghoulish rogues for ‘Master Bruce’ to routinely defeat as the Batman.  Yet, a fatal encounter at the Gotham City Zoo  doesn’t follow the established Bat-script.     

Unseen commentators are a bewildered Batman’s spirit and an unidentified companion.  All readers briefly see are the duo’s enigmatic silhouettes.  This storyline shifts to Detective Comics # 853 for its conclusion. 

Note: Though the image is not available here, Alex Ross is the variant cover artist.

REVIEW:

Including its homages to alternate Bat-realities, Neil Gaiman’s plotting doubles down on a welcome aura of unpredictability. Unlike Grant Morrison’s penchant for peddling bizarre plot twists, with little-to-no logic or explanation, Gaiman’s similarly-styled storyline somehow projects a far more tantalizing effect.  It is understandable, however, if one become confused by the shifting stream-of-consciousness narratives that Gaiman pitches at readers. 

Hence, vital answers are left to be possibly resolved in the second half.  Equal to such a formidable task is the art squad, whose visuals are top-caliber.  Therefore, the enigmatic Batman # 686, is highly recommended.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Andy Kubert provides a stellar four-page sketchbook that reveals his inspirations for this project.  Ian Sattler’s “DC Nation” column hypes ongoing plot twists in JSA, along with a thumbnail cover reveal for Detective Comics # 853.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   9 Stars

Written by Alan Grant.

Art by Stefano Raffaele; Ray McCarthy; Stan Woch; Drew Geraci; Noelle Giddings; & Ken Lopez.

Cover Art by Glen Orbik.

SUMMARY:

Released by DC Comics in 1997, this 64-page pulp noir adventure is entitled “I Was the Love-Slave of a Plant-Based Killer!”  Hired by sultry Pamela Isley, Gotham gumshoe Joe Potato is mind-controlled into recovering a glowing emerald skull possessing mystical powers. 

Convinced by Batman of Poison Ivy’s criminal nature, the slovenly Potato teams up with the Dark Knight to thwart her scheme to overthrow Gotham City with an army of Swamp Thing-like creatures.  Inadvertently risking his long-suffering girlfriend’s life, Potato is caught up in a deadly showdown pitting Batman against one of his most dangerous enemies.

REVIEW:

Given its considerable page count, this Pulp Heroes-themed annual’s visuals (often angled like a noir film) are consistently terrific.  The downside, ironically, is the hard-boiled yet eminently forgettable Joe Potato.  Despite Batman’s star power, Grant relies far too much upon Potato’s overbearingly clichéd narration, not to mention his excessive ‘screen time’ helping resolve this caper.  Still, as an intriguing smash-up of film noir and 50’s Grade-B sci-fi monster flicks, Batman: Shadow of the Bat Annual # 5 is very readable. 

For adult Bat-fans, this annual makes a welcome find in the bargain section.      

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The only extras are ads.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                6 Stars

Written by Denny O’Neil.

Art by Guillem March & Jared K. Fletcher.

Cover Art by Guillem March.

SUMMARY:

DC Comics released this issue for February 2009.  Entitled “Batman: Last Rites – Last Days of Gotham, Part 1 of 2,” the prologue reveals a standoff between glamorous actress Millicent Mayne and a trio of Two-Face’s thugs in a posh Gotham theatre prior to the city’s massive earthquake. 

Years later, one thug impersonating Two-Face vindictively attacks Mayne with a vial of acid at a high-profile charity function.  With Batman presently missing, Alfred calls upon Nightwing from New York City to investigate.  While Mayne enigmatically copes with her new reality, a likely exhausted Nightwing is unaware that he is pursuing Two-Face’s impersonator (not to mention, Two-Face, who is also on the loose). 

A fiery cliffhanger ends the issue, as the storyline now shifts over to Batman # 684.

Though the image isn’t available here, Tony S. Daniel is the variant artist.

REVIEW:

Denny O’Neil’s plotting and Guillem March’s almost-ethereal visuals combine for a terrific read.  Not only does O’Neil’s storyline affect a welcome sense of unpredictability, it provides an ideal fit for March’s top-flight artwork.  For faithful Bat-fans, Detective Comics # 851 is most definitely a welcome find.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Dan DiDio’s “DC Nation” column includes a thumbnail cover reveal for Batman # 684.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   7½ Stars

Written by Ed Brubaker.

Art by Sean Phillips; Stefano Gaudiano; Clem Rofins; & Laurie Kronenberg.

Cover Art by Paul Gulacy; Jimmy Palmiotti; & Laurie Kronenberg.

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Only Takes a Night,” DC Comics released this issue for August 2004.  Having returned the night before, Selina Kyle’s inner circle is relieved that her apparent demise was really a month-long absence from Gotham City.  While girlfriends Holly and Karon make amends, Slam Bradley reaches out to his estranged son.  From his policeman son’s tip, Slam is suspicious of who has been impersonating Catwoman for the past several days.

Amidst their poignant reunion in costume, Catwoman convince Batman to forego secret identities in exchange for a romantic date night on the town.  Encouraging her friend’s privacy with Bruce Wayne, Holly diverts Slam, whose own feelings for Selina have been revived.  Come much later that evening, a weary Selina feels good being home again.     

REVIEW:

For fans of Selina-and-Bruce’s on-and-off romance, Catwoman # 32 is most definitely on.  Ed Brubaker’s well-played scripting is equaled by the art squad’s high-caliber visuals.   If anything, witnessing Batman imply who the love of his life is proves worth the price of admission.  Catwoman # 32, suffice to say, is a romantic gem worth re-discovery.  

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The full-page “DC in Demand” column features thumbnail cover reveals for Superman # 208; Wonder Woman # 205; Robin # 127; & Catwoman # 33.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        8 Stars

Written by Ed Brubaker.

Art by Javier Pulido; Matt Hollingsworth; & Sean Konot.

Cover Art by Javier Pulido.

SUMMARY:

Entitled “No Easy Way Down, Part Three,” DC Comics released this issue for July 2003.  Channeling his suspicions of Selina’s true feelings, Slam Bradley’s nightmare sparks him to the grim truth re: a missing person case.  Desperately worried about her girlfriend, Holly, Karon realizes that she needs Catwoman’s intervention. 

Reaching an epiphany, Slam breaks off his low-key romance with Selina.  Emotionally reeling, an intoxicated Selina Kyle’s latest nocturnal heist is interrupted by Batman, who mirrors her conscience.    

REVIEW:

Writer Ed Brubaker’s plotting is a dramatic hodge-podge rotating between Selina and her supporting cast.  In terms of Batman, his ultra-convenient presence is frankly too much as a contrivance.  Had Brubaker conveyed Batman this time as a poignant figment of Selina’s imagination, that idea would have been more satisfying.  More so, this issue is hampered by Javier Pulido’s rudimentary visuals.  Suffice to say, Pulido’s web-style artwork falls short of big-league caliber.

A far better read (especially re: the Batman/Catwoman romance) is Catwoman # 32, in terms of both plotting and visuals.   In contrast, Catwoman # 19 is best found in the bargain section.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The “DC in Demand” column includes thumbnail cover reveals for Human Defense Corps # 1; Arkham Asylum: Living Hell # 1; The Titans/Young Justice Graduation Day: # 1; JSA: All-Stars # 1; and Catwoman # 20.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 5½ Stars

Written by Chuck Dixon.

Art by Enrique Alcatena; David Hornung; Richard Starkings; & Comicraft.

Cover Art by Enrique Alcatena.

SUMMARY:

Released by DC Comics, this June 1994 64-page Elseworlds-themed annual is untitled.  Evidently set in the 18^th Century, the crusading masked pirate known as Capitan/Captain Leatherwing pursues seagoing evildoers in the name of England.  Aboard his formidable floating arsenal known as The Flying Fox, Leatherwing, his assistant Alfredo, and their crew retrieve an abducted a Native American princess, who believes she has subsequently married her rescuer.  In Kingston, Jamaica, young ‘Robin Redblade’ becomes the Fox’s stowaway and later the mysterious Leatherwing’s protégé. 

Meanwhile, the sinister Laughing Man (aka the Joker) and rival pirate Capitana/Captain Felina conspire to infiltrate and then plunder Leatherwing’s legendary stronghold, Vespertilio Cay (aka Bat’s Cay).  First, an undercover Felina devises a means of seducing Leatherwing.  Once Robin learns of Felina’s treachery, a final showdown is unleashed pitting this reality’s Batman vs. his vilest enemy.   

Note: Neither Bruce Wayne nor Selina Kyle (or by any variation of their names) are identified.  

REVIEW:

Aside from writer Chuck Dixon laying the “Shiver me timbers, me buckos,” pirate lingo on a bit thick, this annual proves a solid read.  Inspired by classic pirate movie clichés, Dixon’s storytelling serves up a predictable swashbuckling caper.  More than equal to this task is the art squad, as their atmospheric visuals are high-caliber. 

While Detective Comics Annual # 7 is not a must-have, its artwork is by all means a most welcome catch in the bargain section.  

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The “DC Universe # 17” column presents high school yearbook quotes from Damage, The Ray, Anima, Tim Drake’s Robin, & Superboy.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                             6 Stars

Written by Louise Simonson.

Art by Jon Bogdanove; Dennis Janke; Bill Oakley; & Glenn Whitmore.

Cover Art by Jon Bogdanove & Dennis Janke.

SUMMARY:

Released by DC Comics for February 1993, Part 3 of “Funeral for a Friend” is entitled “Funeral Day.”  Overseen by Lex Luthor (secretly posing as his far younger fictional son), Superman’s high-profile Metropolis funeral procession is guarded by the Justice League’s extended ranks.  Intervening against potential saboteurs in the crowd-lined streets, the League’s pensive mood is mirrored by others in Superman’s family, friends, and Daily Planet colleagues. 

Among them is a devastated Lois Lane reaching out to the grieving Kents in Smallville – especially, as to the truth behind Clark Kent’s missing-in-action status. Guest stars with extended cameos include: Wonder Woman; Batman & Robin, Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern; Lobo; and then-U.S. President Bill Clinton & then-First Lady Hillary Clinton.

Note: “Funeral for a Friend” is a twelve-part storyline spread through DC’s interlocking Superman titles.

REVIEW:

Despite Louise Simonson’s effort to convey a poignant tale, the blah result still comes off as DC Comics prolonging the ‘Death of Superman’ event for every possible cent.  Further, the art squad’s lackluster visuals do not provide a sufficient incentive to bother tracking this back issue down. 

A more satisfying read is this storyline’s next installment: the Christmas Eve-themed Superman # 76 entitled “Metropolis Mailbag.”  

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There is a two-page letters-and-answers section.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                             5 Stars