New Beginnings - Batman #34

by Matt Puddy

OK, I know, I know, Batman isn’t exactly a new character seeing as he has just celebrated his 75th birthday. It’s not a new writer seeing as it is still Scott Snyder driving this issue forward (with Gerry Duggan) and there are no new twists, villains or characters entering the fray. So why this issue?

Well to be honest this is a new beginning. Zero Year has (finally) finished and now Batman is back in present day Gotham, returning to the New 52 status quo. This is also bringing the main Batman book in line with the current weekly title, Batman Eternal. However, instead of jumping straight into a new arc. this issue is more stand alone, giving the reader a reprieve from the pace of recent issues and relentless schedules.

Issue #34 is a small story simply called The Meek. Rather than focussing on the big villains that Gotham and Arkham hold, Snyder and Duggan take notice of the little folk and the ones that hunt them. Even with all the hustle and bustle of the city life, Batman still manages to notice that a number of lost and homeless people are going missing. All of them patients of the same Doctor Thompkins. So, doing as Bruce always does, he has the urge to step in and protect the residents no matter who they are. What he finds though is a quiet killer, one who wants to murder and then disappear into obscurity again. A nameless face from the shadows who doesn’t want to be known.

This is a completely self-contained issue that Snyder has planned, and acts as a bridge in between arcs. As I mentioned before there are no huge plot twists or major characters, but that doesn’t mean that he hasn’t put a lot into it. Developing a story from nothing and following it through in just one issue, is not an easy feat but he pulls it off. He even manages to have Batman cracking a joke with one of the men from the Asylum, as well as putting a very nice twist on a punishment for him by locking him up in the Joker’s cell where everyone will see him.

What also does is that instead of leaving with a happy ending, there is a much more sinister feel to it with the immense realisation of the depths to which this has gone, and for how long is immense. That Batman is fallible - as this could have been caught quicker - and there is no way to know how far this actually went.

Artistically, Matteo Scalera (Black Science) is the main man on this issue, with Lee Loughridge working the colours. What I’ve liked is that the art has at no time given any sort of positive vibe to the story. It feels quiet, dialled down and in some cases totally bleak, which is how it should feel. Part of this is also down to there being a very big tonal shift on different pages. These again are muted and fit the scene with the exception of the blood red washes over the last pages.

This is not an issue that will drive any of the story for Batman forward, but then again it’s not meant to be. What it is though is a great jump on point for new readers or fans who are coming back to a Batman title after a break.

A good little issue which gets you ready for the next big thing.

Matt Puddy is looking forward to the Endgame.

New Beginnings - Batman Eternal #1-3

by Matt Puddy

Who is the scourge of the night, the world’s greatest detective, 75 years old this year and appearing in a new weekly ongoing title from Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV and more?

OK, well the title of this week’s review does give it away a little, but it's Batman.

The series has gotten off to quite a good start by turning things on their head from the very beginning. Opening immediately with a fire-strewn foreshadowing of things to come, we are greeted by the sight of a de-costumed Bruce strapped to a destroyed Bat-Signal in front of a crumbling and destroyed Gotham. Things are not looking good. However, this downfall had to start somewhere and we immediately step back to see how.

These initial issues revolve around an incident that no one would have expected, the arrest of Commissioner Jim Gordon for the deaths of a large number of Gothamites. While trying to apprehend a suspect - concurrent with Batman is taking down Professor Pyg - things aren’t what they seem. Is there a gun or not? Is he armed or is there something not right here? Why won’t he give himself up? Gordon is faced with all of this and more, leading to him making the decision to disarm the man, but in the process the bullet hits a fuse box, creating a brutal train crash that no-one can stop. What a way for a rookie, Bard - handpicked by Gordon himself - to start his first day too with the arrest of the man who brought him into the fold.

The next two issues up the ante even more, with the return of a major player as well. After addressing the Mayor and setting several other events in motion, the resurgence of Carmine Falcone shakes the city to its core and starts a gang war - aided by a corrupt interim commissioner - that Gotham has not seen the likes of before.

It’s hard to really be objective on the writing and artwork when you look at the line up emblazoned on the cover. Snyder, Tynion IV, Fawkes, Layman, Seeley and Fabok. All of these have more than established themselves at DC, and the level of work on the Batman family of titles alone is very high. Snyder for instance has quickly become a firm favourite of mine some years ago and I will happily read his stories any time. Tynion’s work is also one I like, and as he has co-written these first scripts, it can’t be a bad thing. 

The artwork is all from Jason Fabok which although not my preferred style normally, it is something I like on Batman. Throughout all these issues there is very little light. This is taking Batman back to the night and into the dingy streets of a dangerous Gotham. It’s also bringing what’s left of the family back together too after the Joker tore them asunder.

Fabok has put a slightly new twist on the Batmobile (issue #3 cover) - Bruce apparently has more versions of his cars than Tony Stark has suits. I’m not sure I’m completely taken by it but time will tell. What will be interesting is how the rest of the known villains will come in and be seen. The series is promising to look at how Batman interacts with a huge range of his allies and enemies.

With almost the first month under its belt Batman Eternal has kicked off with a bang. If you’re a Batman fan and not already on this title then I would wonder why not? If you simply like Batman and want a title that will immerse you in the mythos of the character then this would also be a good title to read, but not necessarily for the younger reader as it comes across at a teen level, and being a weekly book it will quickly get a bit expensive!

I’m hoping that the writing team are able to keep up the pace on this and I’m keen to see how far it goes.

Matt Puddy has seen some great progress on the latest piece.

New Beginnings - Superman Unchained #1

A few weeks ago I mentioned in a review that one of my favourite writers at present is Scott Snyder. My admiration of his work stems from his work on Batman over the past few years and now I have the chance to see how he reinvigorates DC’s other big cape, Superman.

Before I dig into the story itself the presentation of the issue is worth noting immediately. DC have really invested in the issue (although this is also reflected in the $4.99 price). It has a fantastic glossy cover and when you open up the issue there is a surprise awaiting the reader (it’s not a gatefold cover). A couple of pages in you will find an attached insert which when carefully unfolded opens to a double-sided full colour poster page. The art on one side is simply OK, but the other makes an impressive impact that is is completely worth it.

Snyder’s story opens by stepping back in history to that horrific day at Nagasaki, giving us an alternative to what really happened. Now this was an interesting point, but one I will admit I forgot about whilst reading the rest of the issue.  I therefore got a really nice little moment of realisation when I got to the final page. Putting that aside for the moment and we spring straight back into the present where Supes is facing eight manmade orbiting objects, which have been reprogrammed and sent flying towards Earth as bombs. There is only time to stop seven of them, but when Clark’s reporting points this out and Lois takes great delight in correcting him. All eight were in fact made safe. It leaves him in an interesting position. Who or what saved the last one?

The questions open further when Superman finds the wreck on the ocean floor, complete with a handprint. Enter a shadowy military operation complete with their “real” Superman, whom they've had for almost 75 years...

For the artwork in this stellar first issue DC have brought on board Jim Lee. Lee is well known for the quality of his work and the feel of it fits perfectly with Superman as well as the story. It is light and open, but at the same time full of detail in all of the panels. It’s also got great punctuation on some of the images such as the large page pull out and the fantastic underwater picture of Superman complete with red eyes. I also loved the final page depiction of the new character (this may be someone fans will know but I’m afraid I can’t bring the name to mind if there is one). All in all the artwork has been really satisfying to cast eyes over.

Seeing Snyder work on something different was very compelling. The comparison and contrast between Batman and Superman is huge in itself; the light and dark of DC. Personally although I am really interested in who this “real” Superman is. I hope both Superman and Scott Snyder fans will pick this up and really enjoy it. You should give this issue a look though.

Matt Puddy is not going to be doing any high fives for a little while.

The Lion's Share - Superman Unchained #1 is only a week away!

Superman Unchained #1 is out NEXT WEDNESDAY!

I was lucky enough to see a mock up of the massive four page poster page included in this issue at the MCM Expo the other weekend, courtesy of Bob Wayne from DC. Comic Book Therapy had a sneak peek at the pencils for this amazing page:

Here's a look at some of the variant covers on offer for Superman Unchained #1, courtesy of Previews World:

This is going to be a beautiful issue and a real collector's item in years to come, don't miss out! Email me now to pre-order.

Ben Fardon would love to see Man Of Steel at an IMAX, but is struggling to find the time.

New Beginnings - The Wake #1

Scott Snyder is a writer that I'm really enjoy reading the work of, so upon the news that I would be reviewing his new title The Wake, I was obviously excited.

Snyder has produced one of my favourite runs on Batman, but being on the mainstream DC label has sometimes meant that it has had certain constraints in terms of tone. The Wake however is being launched on Vertigo, another tick in a box for me as the label often comes up with some gems aimed at a more mature audience.

The story is broken into four main sections starting with a glimpse into the future with a teaser called The Quest. In a ruined, drowned city, we meet a lone scout and her friendly dolphin.

It’s a freak tidal wave that sends the story crashing back 200 years to The Call where we meet Dr Archer, a prominent scientist who has fallen out with certain government agencies in the past. Her expertise is desperately needed - and not easily gained - but her scientific curiosity draws her in with a recording of an underwater sound that is as familiar to her as it is alien.

This leads us to Base Camp, where a number of other significant heads from their respective fields are gathered. It’s only when they reach their prototype and illegal base facility that the real interest begins. All of them have been given different reasons to be there, all told different stories and what they needed to hear.

However, like blind men describing an elephant nothing matches even closely, but all are required to analyse the same thing. On entering the structure something has clearly gone horribly wrong and a man is in desperate need of medical attention. All the while the same noise that Archer was drawn to can be heard, leading her to the focus of all their attentions on the source. An imprisoned and monstrous aquatic individual.

To add further mystery, the final phase of the issue is The Storyteller, set 100,000 years ago. It shows a Neolithic man painting caves, who uses an alien device and which costs him his eyes. For what reason we don’t know yet but it will all slowly unfold.

Sean Murphy is the artist for this issue (known for his own recent title Punk Rock Jesus) and his pencils worked really well. When I first saw the issue it immediately reminded me of Kristian Donaldson’s work from on The Massive, or Chris Mooneyham’s work from Five Ghosts, and it fits with the story to a great degree. It isn’t overly defined but still gives a lot of detail. The facial expressions and body language on all of the characters are very emotive, with many of the frames not requiring scripting to convey personality or an idea. A slightly novel depiction in the work, is that sound effects are added to the frames. Not quite a camp as the Sixties' Batman but still making a presence and adding to the comic in a way not often seen in modern comics.

Normally I’m not one to enjoy a comic that doesn’t really tell you much in its inception, and to be honest this issue hasn’t really gone to great lengths to define where this series is going. However, there's just the right amount of information there in the groundwork to set the scene, whilst leaving you with open questions needing answers.

I really enjoyed this as a first issue. Personally it shouldn't be a case of if you should get this comic, but more when. The answer is now!

Matt Puddy is pleased this first issue made such a splash!

New Beginnings - Batman #13

Now this blog is called New Beginnings and Batman is a thoroughly established character in the DC universe so this week’s blog is slightly different. This week we are not looking at the new beginning of a hero or saviour, this is the return and rebirth of something far darker, deranged and sinister.

Batman #13 welcomes home the quintessential adversary of the caped crusader, the Joker.

For any fans who read Tony Daniels' Detective Comics #1, you would have seen that The Clown Prince of Crime had his face removed by The Dollmaker before disappearing.

The final page of Detective Comics #1

Now, a year later, he is marking is return in Scott Snyder’s Batman kicking off the new arc, Death Of The Family. This in itself is a little unsurprising as the Joker was pivotal to the A Death In The Family storyline in the late Eighties.

Snyder’s story opens on a dark and stormy, rain-filled night, with Commissioner Gordon trying to assess how the press are going to use the “omens” that seem to be coming up. Ironically this is also when a psychopath walks in out of the rain with a joke.

The ensuing massacre brings Batman to the scene and with an almost hysterical Jim Gordon confirming it was the Joker, meaning that all the old files are opened and the Bat Family put on high alert. Admittedly this is not how Bruce wants it but he also has no choice too.

With Bruce’s attention firmly grabbed the Joker ups the ante by publicly announcing that Mayor Hady will die, but it’s through astute detective work that the real direction of the Joker is deduced and a showdown at the ACE Chemical plant is arranged.

For a man with no real or apparent plan the Joker certainly has thought things through as Snyder opens the world up to Harley Quinn and Alfred bringing them into the fray as well.

Although there is no clear motive, the Joker is most definitely back. Add to that the loaded connotations of the play on words with the main title, well you know something is going to happen. It’s not clear at all whether this is simply splitting the Bat Family up, or if we will see another death, but this is now wide open for the reader.

After a break for issue #12, Greg Capullo returns to provide us with the artwork and the new look Joker. It’s typical to his style and fits in well with Snyder's work. However, there are some cracking extras in the issue.

Take the cover for example. All of the opening issues for this major arc have a gatefold depicting the main character being masked by the Joker’s staple-riddled face. The back cover provides a list of all the crossover issues for you keep track of them.

Even better is the mini story at the back of the issue, which contains “Tease”, the story behind Harley’s interaction with the returning Joker. Without spoiling anything, it is a short but interesting backstory which is beautifully drawn. The final page artistically trumped the rest of the issue for me.

Snyder is one of my favourite writers right now, so not liking this issue would be a hard thing for me.

Although it is the return of possibly the most significant villain in Batman’s world, there isn’t much more given to where this arc is really going so far. Even so this is a great issue and any Batman fan should be so eager to get their hands on it. If it lives up to it's similarly named predecessor then this will be a run to remember.

Matt Puddy is looking forward to seeing how this one pans out...

New Beginnings - Talon #0

As part of the third wave of DC titles we have a “true” Zero edition. This title is a new story spinning a character out of a recent arc.

For Batman fans the recent Scott Snyder storyline of Night of the Owls was met with both praise and criticism. Even so the idea of an elusive organisation that works from the shadows to exert control and direction over a city is not a new one. The DC twist of course being the theme based around owls (a natural predator of bats) and the apparently almost immortal assassins known as Talon.

With any such organisation there will be operatives who excel in their work - driven with an unquestioning will. And then there will also be those who on occasion find that their path isn’t always so clear or perhaps subject to a higher authority. This is the case with Calvin Rose.

The issue, written by James Tynion IV to a collaborative plot with Scott Snyder, documents very quickly the rise of Rose from childhood through to servitude as a Talon. From the moment his father locked him in a kennel and threw away the key, through his induction into the talent camp for the Owls that was Haly's Circus and ultimately his entry into the service of the Court; the idea that he was always running is maintained. This is ultimately to become the drive behind this character and will continue through the ongoing title.

The sole aim of this issue is to rapidly introduce a completely new character to you, giving him a fleshed out backstory complete with motivation and personality. This isn’t a two dimensional character who has been set in stone. Casey has changed his ideas and feelings over time. What hasn’t changed is the motivations behind it all; as with so many heroes or anti-heroes there has to be some painful quirk in the past.

The artwork is provided by Guillem March and is rough and quite dark, much like Casey. March is a forefront artist and spends a lot of time concentrating on the main characters in the frames giving much more detail than some of the backgrounds. This focuses the reader on Rose a lot which is exactly what is needed for this issue.

As I mentioned before this issue achieves exactly what it needs to. The reader is quickly involved but the story isn’t too deep. The basic premise is a simple one that Rose is a highly skilled fighter who is now on the run from a sinister organisation whilst helping people on the way. It’s kind of like crossing the A-Team with The Littlest Hobo. Whilst I can see it will be easy to have a common running theme with multiple sub stories I am wondering how much you can get out of this story without it being repetitive. I am also expecting a run in with Batman at some point in the future also being inevitable.

New title, new character, new fan base? I think it would only be fair to see where this goes before making a definitive judgement on it all but it is certainly a little different. And definitely the best of latest wave of DC's New 52!

Matt Puddy is gearing up for some hardcore SNIKT! action!