Review: Batman #16

Batman #16
Written By: Scott Snyder
Art By: Greg Capullo
Backup Written By: Scott Snyder & James T Tynion IV
Backup Art By: Jock



Cover: Batman #16 (DC)

I'm sure the lovely people over at DC hear it all the time, but Batman has been fantastic... no wait, it's been bat-tastic.

As we inch closer and closer to the epic conclusion of Death of the Family, the stakes have no doubt been raised for our Dark Knight.

The penultimate issue continues where issue number 15 left off—at Arkham Asylum. Once Batman enters his so-called kingdom and starts his search for the Joker, the Clown Prince of Crime has something up his sadistic sleeve every step of the way.

From the get-go, each turn of the page brings some kind of hair-raising, stomach-churning moment. Whether it's a horse running on fire or Batman getting an up-close and personal look at a tapestry made from dead bodies, one thing is for sure... writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo are the real Dynamic Duo of the DC Universe.

If you follow either of them on Twitter, or have read any of the interviews they do, you can see that they are truly dedicated to Batman and his fans.

Let's put it this way, while many comics book titles are pumping out story after story, Batman has had two arcs in as many years, and they have been really, really good ones. When you have a creative team that can do that without boring the reader, you've got my $3.99.

Now that I have stroked some egos, let's get to the big question on everyone's mind: what does the Joker have underneath that domed dish?

Like most people, we'll have to just wait and see what next month brings.

The backup was solid, as it has been during the whole Death of the Family saga. I'm a big fan of Jock's art, so anything drawn by him will have my eye's attention.

James T Tynion IV is a name you should get yourself familiar with. The rising star has been doing a bang-up job on the backup issues of Batman, as well as his work on Talon. It was recently announced that Tynion will be taking over writing duties on Red Hood and The Outlaws starting in April with issue #19.

Batman #16 is a work of art. If you haven't already picked it up, go get it... now!

***RATING: 10/10***

--Eric Follow Me on Twitter

Top Picks: Volume 1 Issue 7

3. Legends of The Dark Knight #4
Written By: T.J. Fixman, Andrew Dabb, and Jonathan Larsen
Art By: Christopher Mitten, Giorgio Pontrelli, and Tan Eng Huat

Legends of The Dark Knight #4 (DC)

NOTE: THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW

Sometimes when I go to the comic book store and see a book for $3.99, I tend to think that it's not worth it. But Legends of the Dark Knight gives you three stories for the price of one and I'm ok with that.

A Game to Die For: This was the first story, and in my opinion, the best. A man who calls himself the Praetorian has captured the Joker  and wants to prove to Batman that he can be the next Robin. The Joker, being the sadistic person he is, reveals that he knows not only the Praetorian's real name, but his kids' names, and even that he has a specific tattoo on his arm. Clearly upset, the Praetorian asks for answers and boy, does he get them. The ending had a good twist that I did not see coming. Once I was done with this whole issue, I went back and reread A Game to Die For. It actually was better the second time around. The story, written by T.J. Fixman was fresh and creative. But the real star was the art, drawn by Christopher Mitten. What at first came off to me as sloppy, made perfect sense in the end, given the tone of the story.

Batman: The Movie: We got another Joker story here, but it wasn't nearly as good as A Game to Die For. A movie about Batman is being made, and the the Joker, along with Harley Quinn, decide to crash the set and make a movie of their own: The Death of Batman. As you can probably guess, that didn't happen. The writing and art on this story, done by Andrew Dabb and Giorgio Pontrelli, respectively, wasn't bad, it was just kind of filler for me between the first and third stories.

Together: This was my second favorite story out of the three. Unlike its predecessors, Together was  Joker-less. Instead, we get a well done Two-Face story. I just want to say that I love it when Batman is perched in the shadows, hanging outside some window of a crime scene, talking to Commissioner Gordon. It always gives me the impression that the Dark Knight is poised to do some trademark detective work or interrogating. In this case, I was right. Batman tries to tack down a surgeon who has become a suspect after some kids went missing, both underwent the same procedure. Later, through said detective work, we learn that the surgeon is also a victim... of Two-Face. When I was done reading this, just like A Game to Die For, I went back and reread.

I have really been enjoying this title. It's very different than any other Batman book, not only because it usually contains separate stories done by separate writers and artists, but it also steers clear of the current story lines in the other Batman titles.



2. Detective Comics #16

Written By: John Layman

Art By: Jason Fabok
Backup Art By: Andy Clarke

Detective Comics 16 (DC)

NOTE: THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW


You've heard of the League of Assassins, but what about the League of Smiles?

With the Joker running wild in Gotham City, the group is one of many inspired by the Clown Prince of Crime, and in Detective Comics #16, they are keeping Batman busy.

I was a little let down by last month's issue. To me, it didn't really feel like a tie-in to the "Death of the Family" story. This month, however, writer John Layman pulled a switch-a-roo, delivering a great Joker story without having to show him at all.

In the midst of all the Joker mayhem, we are also seeing the rise of Ignatius Ogilvy A.K.A. Emperor Penguin.

This character, who was once Penguin's right hand man, doesn't excite me too much; maybe because the Penguin doesn't really do anything for me. But, like anything, I'll give  the story a fair chance to play out until I give my final two cents.

Artist Jason Fabook continues to pump out great panels. I love the way he draws Batman. He makes him look very intimidating--as he should be.

If you've enjoyed Layman and Fabok's work on Detective Comics, then this will not disappoint.



1. Superior Spider-Man #1

Written By: Dan Slott
Art By: Ryan Stegman


Superior Spider-Man #1 (Marvel)

NOTE: THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW

So the big question on Spidey fans' minds (at least mine): When and how will the real Peter Parker come back?

The answer: not long at all, in fact.

In the final pages of the controversial Superior Spider-Man #1, we see the ghost of Peter Parker stop Otto Octavius (who is now in Peter Parker's body... read Amazing Spider-Man #700) from killing Boomerang, a member of the new Sinister Six.

Otto can't see or hear Peter. So, it appears that former web-slinger will be following his former self around to make sure that Spider-Man's image isn't tarnished.

I'm okay with Dan Slott's vision for Spider-Man. However, a lot of fans have voiced their displeasure; some have even sent Slott death threats via Twitter. This isn't cool. By no means should anything fiction-related be taken that far. It's one thing to be angry, but it's another to turn that anger into something criminal.

But, could the skeptics be changing their tune? From what I've been reading, Superior Spider-Man #1 has received a lot of positive reaction. Not only to the Slott, but to artist Ryan Stegman. His art was clean, crisp, and really popped on every page.

If you invested your time and money into Amazing Spider-Man #698, 699, and 700, then you should definitely pick up Superior Spider-Man #1 to see if there is a payoff for you.

--Eric Follow Me on Twitter

Top Picks: Volume 1 Issue 6

5. Teen Titans #15

Written By: Scott Lobdell

Art By: Brett Booth 

NOTE: THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW

This issue was filled with highs and lows for me.

I understand wanting to get all the right characters involved with the "Death of the Family" event, but this tie-in was my least favorite of the bunch.

Am I really supposed to believe that Batgirl, given everything she has going with the Joker, would take off and help the Teen Titans? Seems unlikely, but I guess she found time to pencil them in.

Another thing, was it really necessary to put an editor's note about something that is happening in the Birds of Prey during an important action sequence? I don't even read Birds of Prey (sorry to all you fans out there.) Those panels really brought any excitement I had going to a screeching halt.

I don't want you to think that I'm just going to sit here and badmouth this issue to death because there were some good parts in it. For instance, seeing Tim Drake in his original Red Robin outift was really cool. Equally cool was hearing more about what writer Scott Lobdell touched upon back in Teen Titan #0: that Tim Drake's name might not be his "real" one.

Despite its shortcomings, Teen Titans #15  is a part of the "Death of the Family" crossover event and should be owned by anyone who wants to have every issue associated with the epic story.



4. Batman: The Dark Knight #15

Written By: Gregg Hurwitz
Art By: David Finch


NOTE: THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW

This is the conclusion to the dark and twisted Scarecrow arc that Gregg Hurwitz has brought us.

When Hurwtiz took over writing duties on Batman: The Dark Knight from David Finch, we were taken for a ride on the crazy train.

With Hurwitz as the conductor, we have seen Batman drugged, beaten, bloodied, and almost killed in his efforts to stop Scarecrow. The latter of those happens during the climax of this issue.

As a whole, I really enjoyed this story arc. Hurwitz and Finch both did a great job capturing the essence of what a Batman: The Dark Knight book should look and feel like.

Starting next issue, we will get a new villain and a new writer. They are the Mad Hatter and Ethan Van Sciver, respectively.

If you are a fan of David Finch, don't worry, he isn't going very far. He will be joining forces with Geoff Johns on Justice League of America, which is set to hit stores in February.



3. Batman Incorporated #6

Written By: Grant Morrison

Art By: Chris Burnham
              Andres Guinaldo & Bit (pages 13-16)



 NOTE: THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW

If anything, Grant Morrison continues to keep bat-fans talking... and that's a good thing.

The conflict between Batman and Talia reaches a new level in this issue as Talia forces Batman to make a choice: Save his city or save his son. Which will he choose? Well... we'll have to keep reading to find out.

Meanwhile back at the ranch... I mean Batcave, Damien, Dick, Tim, and Jason are all gathered together. It is in this moment that we get perhaps the cutest moment in Batman history: the debut of Alfred the cat (ok... I may be exaggerating a little on that one.)

But Morrison takes us from cute to ugly real quick, as a member of Batman Incorporated is the victim of a brutal attack that doesn't look good at all.

I really enjoyed reading this, but if there was one downfall, it would be the switch of artists midway through. Chris Burnham's art has been amazing from get get-go. It's one of the main reason I keep picking up Batman Incorporated, but I can't understand what the reasoning behind the change on pages 13-16 was about. It didn't flow with the feel of the book, and made me just want to get through those pages as quickly as possible so I could get back to Burnham.



2. Talon #3

Written By: James T Tynion IV

Art By: Guillem March

 NOTE: THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW

Talon keeps getting better and better every month.

This issue opens up with a flashback to six years ago. We see Calvin Rose and Casey Washington-- a woman Calvin saved from being killed by the Court of Owls-- talking on the Brooklyn Bridge. Here, we learn a little more of what began Calvin's life of being on the lam.

Back in present time, Calvin and Casey cross paths again, but this time it under different circumstances. After she has Calvin ambushed on the same bridge we saw in the flashback scene, she reveals to him that she wants to be a part of a bank heist that will drain the Court of Owls funding.

Did they pull it off? Well you'll just have to pick up this issue to find out. Trust me... you will not be disappointed.

The character of the Talon may have been created by Scott Snyder, but Tynion is doing the book justice as the writer. He has been impressing me not only on Talon, but on the backups of Batman as well.



1. All-New X-Men #5

Written By: Brian Michael Bendis

Art By: Stuart Immonen





NOTE: THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW

All-New X-Men is a book that will make your head spin, but in a good way.

Between all the back and forth between past and present, lies an emotional story that has grown to be a must-read.

This issue's main focus is on two people: Jean Grey and Beast. I'm not going to get too much into detail about the plot because it might come off as confusing to someone who hasn't read anything so far.

In a nutshell, Jean learns more about her life, through telepathy and Beast deals with his health scare.

Brian Michael Benis and Stuart Immonen have been all-stars on All-New X-Men.

There have been a lot of titles to come out of the Marvel NOW! launch, but in my opinion, All-New X-Men by far is the cream of the crop.



--Eric Follow Me on Twitter