Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!
It’s the first week of October and it’s New York Comic Con time! But before that starts, let’s talk about some of the books coming out today!
All-Star Batman #14
Written by Scott Snyder
Illustrated by Rafael Albuquerque
This is the final issue of Scott Snyder’s All-Star Batman comic book.
That’s a shame. The book was a high quality book every month and it’s been quite a ride up until now. How is this last issue?
It’s a great finish to a great series. Snyder is a seasoned professional at this point when it comes to writing unique and involving stories.
He asks an age old question here: what if Bruce has a choice to have true love or lose that love by being Batman?
Snyder answers this question in a way we haven’t seen before and it’s a wonderful button to his work on this character.
The art by Albuquerque is typically awesome. He’s doing the top work of his career.
Pick this up. Complete your run. It’s well worth your time.
RATING: A
Batman #32
Written by Tom King
Illustrated by Mikel Janin
Man, Tom King really stepped up as the writer of Batman.
Before this latest storyline, Batman was borderline unlikable. King was writing him very one note and unfamiliar. I’m happy to report that it all changed. And that’s a damn good thing.
Here it is! The ending to the storyline “The War of Jokes and Riddles.” It’s friggen awesome. The Joker and The Riddler are fighting to be the villain who rules Gotham! Their war has been brutal! Here, it all ends!
Plus we get an answer from Catwoman whether or not she will marry Bruce!
This is a great finale. King writes his heart out and it shows. The art by Janin has been spectacular. You need this.
Buy this right away and read it. Or you are truly missing out.
RATING: A
Batman: The White Knight #1
Written and Illustrated by Sean Murphy
This excellent first issue of this limited series features the usual excellent art by Sean Murphy. I was unprepared however just how great the writing is. Murphy has laid out an interesting concept and he proves he’s got the chops to carry it through.
The wacky concept here is that The Joker is the protagonist and that Batman has finally gone too far!
The people of Gotham look to the Joker to help them against Batman, the now maniac. This Joker has been cured of his madness. Can he stop the crazy lunatic Batman has become?
The details make this story sing.
Watching the Joker try to reconcile and apologize to Harley Quinn is priceless.
Murphy really looks to be making a classic Batman tale here. This is just plain awesome. Buy it now.
RATING: A
Bane: Conquest #6
Written by Chuck Dixon
Illustrated by Graham Nolan
This whacked out miniseries hits the half way point in this issue.
Bane is on a…well, conquest. And he will not be stopped for anything!
This issue focuses on Bane’s fight against the incredible Kobra!
It’s mayhem done in the typical Chuck Dixon bombastic style. It’s over the top and more than a little fun.
The art by Nolan is wonderful.
I feel like a kid again. Mostly because this team hasn’t changed in their style in close to 25 years!
And that’s okay sometimes. I’m enjoying reliving my past with this.
RATING: B
Deathstroke #24
Written by Christopher Priest
Illustrated by Diogenes Neves
This storyline is nuts. And I love nutty storylines!
Deathstroke is leading a team called Defiance and he makes for quite an entertaining leader. Priest keeps the storyline fast and fresh and this is a good time indeed.
Kid Flash is on the Defiance team. He is starting to realize the secrets and lies that is involved with the team. Yet, he might be keeping the biggest secret of all.
Plus, a new threat is coming towards Defiance that may destroy them all.
The writing is fast and fun. The art is decent enough. Priest keeps advancing the story on his tenure on this title. It’s great.
This is the way comic books should be done for sure.
RATING: A-
Injustice 2 #11
Written by Tom Taylor
Illustrated by Daniel Sampere
So this is the first time for me in reading this title. It’s not a bad read picking it up when you haven’t read an issue before. Taylor makes the story accessible.
Poison Ivy has captured Batman. And she’s angry!
Meanwhile, there are missing children and the Injustice team must try to find them.
Can they do it? Well, let’s hope so!
The story moves at a pretty good pace. Taylor keeps things moving and it’s interesting enough. The art isn’t bad either.
This may be worth picking up from the beginning and reading the whole thing from the start.
RATING: B
Batman: The Dawnbreaker #1
Written by Sam Humphries
Illustrated by Ethan Van Sciver
The Metal tie-ins keep on coming! And I love them all! They are completely bananas.
Great news too: This issue is completely bananas, maybe the most bananas yet!
This is the Metal Batman version of the Green Lantern character.
It’s written and Illustrated by two people who have worked on Green Lantern a lot. Here, they seem to be having more fun than they have had previously. It’s a joy to read.
I’m not the biggest Van Sciver fan. His art here however is decent and he’s clearly having a good time. Pick this up.
Metal is awesome and this continues in that vein.
RATING: A
Harley and Ivy Meet Betty And Veronica #1
Written by Paul Dini and Marc Andreyko
Illustrated by Laura Braga
Published by DC Comics and Archie Comics
This is a ton of fun.
Watching these characters from both universes collide is a guilty pleasure. It’s a wacky concept and the strong writing makes for a really great comic book experience.
Poison Ivy hires Harley Quinn to kidnap Veronica and her friend Betty.
Things don’t turn out the way they want to however. What follows is a journey of crazy wacky fun.
And it is fun! The writing is well done. The art is decent as well.
Pick this up. It will put a smile on your face.
RATING: B+
Harley Quinn #29
Written by Amanda Connor and Jimmy Palmiotti
Illustrated by John Timms
Harley Quinn is one of those books that you pick up and you know what you are getting into. It’s fun, breezy and pretty disposable.
And that’s okay.
This is part two of Harley Quinn’s campaign to become mayor of Gotham City.
The Mayor is trying to kill her! But he keeps failing. And with each attempt Harley becomes more and more popular.
The story is cute and the art is very good.
Harley is overexposed these days and that is the only problem this faces. Still, the creative team does good on this book. Give it a read.
RATING: B
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