Comic Book Reviews: Batman & Robin #1, Red Robin #1

It’s an all Batman comic book review extravaganza! I seriously have never been so enthusiastic or into Batman as I am currently.  I’ve always enjoyed Batman comics when it just stuck to classic mysteries or going up against one of the usual rogue gallery. Rarely did I find Batman events interesting and they often resulted in losing me as a reader. But the shake up in the Batman family resulting from Bruce Wayne’s death in Final Crisis and the following Battle for the Cowl mini series has set us up for some fresh and different Batman story lines.

Batman & Robin #1, DC Comics

Writer: Grant Morrison, Artist: Frank Quitely

We jump right into the action with this new series. Dick Grayson is now Batman picking up the mantle of his mentor and father figure. Damian Wayne, Bruce’s son from a night with Talia Ah Guhl is now Robin. Its funny how with these two the personalities are a reversal from previous Batman/Robin teams. With this pair Damian/Robin, in their conversations, is the darker and more intense of the twosome, while Grayson who turns-on a great Dark Knight bad-ass persona for the crooks and cops is a much lighter, easier going Batman when out of the public eye. Basically he’s still the original Robin and Nightwing we’ve grown up with but he knows how to play the part of Batman when needed.

This is a great issue. Grant Morrison gives us a straightforward, superhero action story. We get to see the new duo in action. We get a new Batmobile (that can fly!). And  some creepy new villains in the Circus of Strange, to boot. All in all fantastic. As a double bonus to me the artwork is turned in by Frank Quitely. I know everyone isn’t a Quitely fan, but I love his style. He and Morrison were a great team on the All Star Superman series, so to have them together again for the first issues of this new Batman & Robin series is awesome.

I’ve read it 3 times already. This book sets the stage for the new status quo in the Batman family. Morrison does a great job of capturing the characters personalities, the pacing of the story is nearly perfect, plus its just damned enjoyable.  4 1/2 out of 5 stars, only because I wish it was longer.

Red Robin #1, DC Comics

Writer: Chris Yost, Artist: Ramon Bachs

This isn’t a creative team that I have much background with. I wasn’t familiar with either of their styles, so coming into this issue I didn’t have any expections. Actually going in I knew two things: I liked Tim Drake as Robin and I dug the Red Robin costume ever since I saw it back in Kingdom Come. Tim Drake is a young man whose dealt with a lot of loss. Losing his father, girl friend, and friends and now his adopted father. All this has taken a toll on Tim and he’s not doing well with it. Especially after he’d told he’s no longer Robin.

This first issue has a troubled Tim Drake, searching for Bruce Wayne through out Europe while taking time to deal with crime as he finds it. I enjoyed the storyline and the costume still kicks ass. Yost does a great job with the main character of the book, but I think characterization falls a part a bit with Damian. I mean he’s a dick in this comic like he is in the others, but the voice of the character just seemed off. The artwork was decent, it didn’t blow me away, but it told the story well. I wasn’t as bowled over by this issue as others were. I will get the 2nd issue, if because of the reveal on the last page of this book. 3 out of 5 stars.

Saturday Morning Wayback Machine – Challenge of the Superfriends

This week the Justice League: New Frontier DVD came out. It had me thinking about how cool it is to be a comic book fan right now. With adaptations of great books now being produced on DVD’s and a good string of hi-quality superhero/adventure cartoons on the air.

However even though the production value and writing isn’t nearly as good as current cartoons, I still love 1978-79 Challenge of the Superfriends season. That was a cool cartoon for back in the day, and it was crammed with quite a few classic villains and heroes.

Technorati Tags: cartoons superheroes ABC Saturday Morning Cartoons seventies Superman Wonder Woman Batman Robin DC Comics Justice League Lex Luthor

DC Universe Classics: Mattel Knocks One Out of the Park

I’ve had a chance to pick up a couple of figures in Mattel’s DC Universe Classics figure line. This is a restart of their DC Superheroes line of figures which was previously limited to the Batman and Superman characters and rogues gallery. This new line of figures opens the doors to the entire DC Comic Universe of characters. I was a fan of the sculpting, models and final figures produced for the previous line. I was just turned off by the limitations of the figures.

The first series for the new line includes, Classic Batman, Etrigan – The Demon, The Penguin, Red Tornado, the New God – Orion and with each of these figures is a piece that allows you to build a 6th Metamorpho figure. This follows in the growing tradition set by Toy Biz and Hasbro for their superhero lines.

The Four Horsemen designed these figures has they have past lines for Mattel, including the Masters of the Universe and DC Superheroes. The high level of design continues with this series. There is the right amount of articulation for posing and the quality of materials and construction keeps these figures from getting too loose too quickly. I’ve picked up Batman and The Demon, since they are favorite characters of mine. I might pick up the others just to build Metamorpho (another fav). Buy 5 figures for a 6th is a shorter trip then the 8 figures needed for the Hasbro Marvel Legends BAF.

I’ve seen these figures at TARGET and Toys R’ Us. They look cool on your desk. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I wish toys were this well done when I was a kid.

Happy New Year

Ah the holiday season is over and I’m once again back at work. My in-laws have left and my life is getting back into a normal schedule. I hope my few readers had a great Christmas and New Years. I had a solid Christmas, with some good times and cool gifts.

Top of the lists for my gifts was a Nintendo DS Lite, the red/black version. I’ve been a long time fan of the Nintendo DS, I was an earlier adopter who had the fat, silver original. The old DS still works, but I was getting major envy looking at the bright screens and convenient size of the DS Lites owned by my brother and sister. So now I’m up to date and current. I also received, Pokemon Diamond and Lunar Knights. I’m currently addicted to Pokemon Diamond, something I never thought I’d say let along type in my blog.

As for comic books, I got a great graphic novel called Stagger Lee (Image Comics). This book,, written by Derek McCulloch and drawn by Shepherd Hendrix, explores the legends, music and myths that came from the murder of Billy Lyons at the hands of Lee Shelton on Christmas Eve in St. Louis, 1895. I’ve got a few of the Stagger Lee/Staggolee/Stacker Lee songs(specifically the Lloyd Price version from the 50’s and “Wrong’ Em Boyo” by The Clash) that are among my favs so I’ve always wanted to know more about the origins of the differing songs immortalizing this one incident. This book does a great job, relating the actual history of behind the real men, the context of the murder in 1895 Missouri, and overall the origins and differences in the songs and poems written about the crime. Just an awesome read. One I can recommend to anyone with an interest in American history or enjoys crime stories. Thanks to Fred and Heather for sending this one my way.

I also found Volumes 2 and 3 of the Batman Chronicles (DC Comics) under the tree on Christmas morning. This series of trade paperbacks reprints the entire archive of Batman stories in chronological order. These Batman stories from the Golden Age are a lot of fun. The light nature of the late 40’s and 50’s hasn’t crept into the books yet. The Joker is a menacing threat, the stories can be a bit dark and the violence is occasionally unreal, Batman sometimes ends up killing or crippling his foes. We also get the introduction of classic villains like Clayface and Catwoman in these volumes. Great stuff, loads of stories are crammed into these books, and they are in full color! Any true Batman fans will want to collect these early stories. This is a great way to read them.

Quick Shot Reviews: Batman & the Outsiders #1, World War Hulk #5 of 5

Batman and the Outsiders #1, DC Comics

Chuck Dixon & Julian Lopez

This is a pretty good first issue, no time is wasted getting the characters right into a  mission that showcases each of their abilities and personalities, showing how they fit and for some don’t fit into Batman’s new team of Outsiders. I dug these comic in the 80’s and I’m glad to see it back especially with Metamorpho and Katanna in the ranks. From what I’ve read there will be some changes to the line up on this team, I’m guessing Martian Manhunter and Catwoman will be on their way out. Lets face it Catwoman isn’t a “joiner” and Martian Manhunter is going through an odd stage in his life, the only team he really belongs on is the JLA. I haven’t read a lot by Chuck Dixon, since I’m not a devoted reader to the Batman family of titles, but he impressed me with this first issue. Especially considering the sudden creative change up that dumped this title in his lap. 7.5 out of 10

World War Hulk #5 of 5, Marvel Comics

Greg Pak, John Romita Jr. Klaus Janson

All I gotta say is I’m glad this is over. For a series that I think was drawn out over more books then necessary this delay for the final issue was brutal. The final battle between Hulk and Sentry was pretty satisfying. Again JRJR really drives home the raw power of the characters through his artwork. I’m not sure how New York was able to rebuild so quickly in other books like the Avengers titles. In this book it looks like the Big Apple has been through World War III. The ending didn’t really catch me by surprise, though the future titles announced at the end of the book did. The tales of the Son of the Hulk looks pretty cool. But I’m not sure about this Incredible Hercules comic, where Hercules takes over the Incredible Hulk title right down to continueing the numbering (though artwork by Art Adams, does entice me) or the new Hulk book by Jeph Leob and Ed McGuiness. Time will tell with those books. Overall great artwork, but no surprises in the story for me and the lateness of the book didn’t help my opinion either, 6 out of 10.

I’m a Marvel … and I’m a DC, After Hours

This was originally a Mac/PC commercial satire using action figures from both of the major comic publishers, but it has spawned an “After Hours” series as well at the bar where both sets of heroes hang out and talk about their various movie projects, both successes and failures. There are about 6 of these in the series I believe. It really helps to know the characters and about the movie franchises to get some of the humor, but I’m guessing if you’re reading this blog that ain’t a problem.

Cast List revealed for Justice League: New Frontier

As mentioned before on this site, DC Comics is going to be creating an animated adaption of Darwyn Cooke’s New Frontier limited series. The full cast list was revealed in the Toonzone forums:

Neil Patrick Harris/The Flash-Barry Allen
David Boreanaz/Green Lantern-Hal Jordan
Brooke Shields/Carol Ferris
John Heard/Ace Morgan
Miguel Ferrer/Martian Manhunter-John Jones
Jeremy Sisto/Batman
Phil Morris/Faraday
Kyra Sedgwick/Lois Lane
Kyle MacLachlan/Superman
Lucy Lawless/Wonder Woman

Having recognizable names for the voice-work might help  out with sales and marketing, a part of me wishes we had more exclusive voice actors with range shown by some of the former greats. Nowadays the only person that comes to mind that fits in this category is Billy West of Ren & Stimpy and Futurama fame.

I’m excited about this story coming to DVD. More excited then I was about the Superman: Doomsday movie. The difference here is I really loved the original source material. I’m actually concerned they won’t be able to fit in aspects of the original story that I’d like to see, such as the John Henry storyline. I will picking this up when it comes out. If they do a good job on this movie, I’d love to see them do an adaption of Kingdom Come or Red Son.

For those wanting to see some more about the New Frontier check out this video send up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-Hb_d5Qnts

Comic Book News Wrap – Issue 8

Thor #3 Pages revealed – Thor vs. Iron Man

Marvel has released a few pages from next month’s issue of Thor. The title character has a bone to pick against Iron Man. I mean Thor has reason to be pissed. Iron man,who is supposed to be his friend makes a clone of him that is used to kill another friend and hero, along with being responsible for a civil war that has torn his world apart while he was taking a death break. Thor is about to really let his feelings known in this upcoming 3rd issue… looks like Tony is going to get his ass-kicked again.

Thor #3: Preview artwork - courtesy of IGN.com

Thor #3: Preview artwork and dialog – courtesy of Newsarama

Weekly World News Closes Shop

While it wasn’t a comic book the kooky tabloid that brought us the Batboy, the adventures of aliens, Bigfoot among other hilarious articles provided a great deal of entertainment and laughter for a modest price. Whenever I needed an easy laugh there were many times I’d buy an issue of the WWN over the latest Mad Magazine. Its truly a shame to see this publication being canceled. With so many troubling, sad and serious headlines on the newstands, having that one humorous paper there to catch you off guard with a scoop like “Dick Cheney is a Robot!” will be something I miss.

Take sometime to see what Bigfoot or the Alien Baby are up to: WeeklyWorldNews.com

Russell Crowe to Appear in Batman: The Dark Knight film

It appears Christian Bales’ 3:10 to Yuma co-star is also slated to appear in the upcoming Batman film. It’s not clear what role Crowe will play or how much screen time he’ll have. But the sources are Crowe and Bale on this one so I’m guessing its true. Anything that brings more people to see this movie is fine by me. I loved the first film and I’m hoping the quality stays at the same level for this next one.

Crowe to star in new Batman movie – Ireland Online

Technorati Tags: Thor, Iron Man, Marvel Comics, Russell Crowe, Weekly World News, Batman, superheroes, art, Christian Bale

Batman: The Dark Knight, vid of the Batcycle

More Batman: The Dark Knight goodness. This time we have some camcorder footage of a scene being filmed that includes Christian Bale and the Batcycle. Blurry but still good stuff.

Courtesy of: Batman: The Dark Knight Movie Chronicles

Technorati Tags: Batman The Dark Knight batcycle, DC Comics, film, movie, superheroes, detective

Comic News Wrap – Issue 4

DC Comic’s Bringing New Frontier series to DVD

As part of a move that I hope is successful, DC Comics is bring three of it’s stories to DVD in a more mature format, which I’m reading as a higher level then you’d find in the their Justice League, Teen Titans, Legion of Super Heroes offerings. The New York Times did a write up on Saturday focus on the New Frontier DVD that will be based off of the Darwyn Cooke series of books. I haven’t read the New Frontier, but its on my summer con shopping list. I love Cooke’s work on the Spirit regular series for DC. If you haven’t checked it out you should.

Epic Comic Book Miniseries Is Animated for DVD (registration needed) – GEORGE GENE GUSTINES, New York Times

World of Warcraft Comic Book on its Way

I’ve never been one to dismiss a comic book because it is based off an property such as a toyline, roleplaying game, or video game. Some great series have come from these genre. The G.I. Joe series have always been great fun to read both the Marvel comics and the current Devils Due Productions series. I’ve heard good things about the Warhammer 40K comics as well. The Warcraft World is rich with story potential and if Jim Lee isn’t phoning in his participation on this project then the idea as a whole could be a fun series to check out.

World of Warcraft comic book in the works - MMORPG News – QJ.NET

More San Diego Comic Con Links

I was able to find some more guides, previews and articles on the SDCC

• San Diego Comic Con International Profile
• Comic-Con San Diego 2007
• Welcome to Nerd Vegas: A Guide to Visiting and Enjoying Comic-Con International in San Diego, 2006!

Technorati Tags:DC Comics World of Warcraft Darwyn Cooke Jim Lee comic books cartoons animation video games computer games San Diego International Comic Con SDCC Comic-Con