#471 BATMAN 94 (DC, 2020) This is the wrap up of the Their Dark Designs storyline and the transition into The Joker Wars. A beaten and battered Batman ends up in a room that resembles the study where he made the decision years ago to become a caped crime fighter. A phone call to an equally battered Catwoman to apologize and make a request. They are still a going thing, despite the cover blurb. The Joker now owns the Wayne fortune and mansion, and all his gadgets. Bruce is despondent and considering hanging up the cowl. He calls to the spirit of Alfred for guidance, some kind of sign. On the final page, Batman declares: “Yes, Alfred . . I will become a better bat.” I wonder what Tynion has in mind. Could be interesting. FOUR STARS.
Twelve years after the last series, Wee Hughie is living in Scotland with Annie and planning marriage. He gets a document in the mail with some revealing information about Billy Butcher that has a distinct effect on his nerves and sends him into an ultra-anxious state. However, Ennis is playing out that story very slowly in flashbacks (more like scene shifts)
that so far haven’t given me any indication as to what’s so disturbing.
Russ Braun’s art is stellar. THREE STARS.
An aging man in western hat and a gunslinger’s long coat travels from the desert to Halo City, a refuge for mutants. His name is Dust, and one of his eyes glows red. He acts and talks an awful lot like Cable, as the story drops lots of hints. This version of Daredevil in an all-black suit is kind of cool. The new mutant team, X-Nation, also have all-black costumes. It’s a pretty grim future, judging by the clothing.
I followed a couple of these titles for 6 issues or so back in the day, but never could muster much enthusiasm for this Universe. I did not care for the recent re-boot either. This is a “meh” kind of book, one that compels me to use that silly word. Guess when we reach that milestone of 2099, I’ll have to stop reading comics. TWO AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#475 BATMAN #95 (DC Comics, 2020) I am not a fan of James Tynion IV’s story-telling, so I have to admit that I’m really enjoying this. I assumed it might be another typical Joker story. I’m glad I decided to check it out.
In “Joker War” that smiling maniac clown appears to hold all the cards. Almost everything has been stripped away from Bruce Wayne/Batman except his fighting skills and keen mind. Joker knows an awful lot about Batman and his secrets; but rather than drop his secret identity he uses that against him as per this leaked news item: “Wayne Enterprises legal representatives have outed a long-standing pattern of embezzlement connected to Bruce Wayne, in his support of the vigilante known as Batman . . .”
When Batman breaks into Wayne Enterprises he gets a brief glimpse of a futuristic looking Batman suit that even he was unaware of its’ development. Theres a cool flashback to Batman’s past and an early encounter with Joker that is very insightful. Well done. FOUR STARS.
Looks like Harley Quinn might be teaming up to help Bats. Catwoman’s still in recovery. Why does everyone assume I know the name of The Joker’s new female acolyte? (Yeah, I didn’t buy that collectible issue where she was introduced.) I don’t read the title every month, and her name never seems to come up - - except for Harley’s reference to her as “Miss Punch-able”.
The Joker has purchased all the movie theaters, including the infamous Monarch Theater where Bats got his beginning. He’s showing the same movie, The Mark Of Zorro, in order to get under Batman’s skin and torment him. FOUR STARS.
#477, 478 VENOM #26 & #27 (Marvel Comics, September-October 2020)This is the beginning of the Venom Beyond story arc and the introduction of new villain Virus. That must be the attraction, as a first printing of Issue #26 has already risen to a market value of $12 on Comics Price Guide. I really don’t see anything special about him — just another super-villain with a vendetta. He wants to kill Eddie Brock/Venom. Virus wears weaponized armor similar to War Machine, rides what looks like a Goblin-glider and throws pumpkin bombs.
Still, writer Donny Cates makes it suspenseful and interesting: “Dylan Brock, Eddie’s son, has abilities related to symbioses. In an attempt to understand his powers, Eddie takes
Everybody except The Maker (unless he’s hiding) have landed in an alternate version of future Earth where the Avengers all display the spider-symbiote symbol on their uniforms and serve the grand Codex. Eddie gets a surprise when the Codex’s helmet is removed. FOUR STARS.
Issue #1 hinted at the possibility of vampirism but never touched on it. Issue #2 barely mentions this at all, although Vlad does say before his first sneak attack on Ottoman forces: “The age of heroes is over. The age of demons has begun!” Vlad also survives an arrow to the chest, directly above his heart.
So, it appears that the story is not going to speculate beyond the documented facts. No matter, the story of Vlad Tepes is plenty horrific without it. Vlad takes his displays of impalement onto the battlefield, leaving behind a bloody reminder of his brutal nature. He strikes first, and strikes hard at the most vulnerable of the Ottoman settlements along the fringes of the Danube River.
As monstrous as his methods are, I’m kind of rooting for Vlad. His opponent, the sultan Murad II, is no better, as he demands tribute and young slaves from Transylvania and Wallachia, and at one time held hostage Vlad and his brother Radu. Murad has kept Radu in thrall, and now plans to install him on the throne of Transylvania after defeating Vlad.
The art is vivid and contains many bloody images of the atrocities of battle. As in Issue #1, everything has a painted look that really makes the art pop. I’m looking forward to the next issue, which I assume will conclude the story. FIVE STARS.
Seeley is also no apparent stranger to the role-playing game this comic is based on. With complex rules similar to Dungeons And Dragons, Vampire The Masquerade game came into popularity in the 1990’s and continues to have a following to this day. Seeley incorporates much of the game universe into his story and appears to respect the source material rather than venture off in new directions. (As least as far as I can tell. I’m familiar with the game but have never actually played it.)
Main character Cecily Bain is a vampiric enforcer for the vampire elite who exist within the Twin Cities of Minnesota. They wish to remain secret from society (hence The Masquerade), and Cecily has to remove a human who has learned their secrets in the opening issue.
There’s plenty of intrigue, with separate classes within the vampire community, conspiracies and ulterior motives (politics). A knowledge of the game will certainly help to follow the storyline, although newcomers can pick it up as long as they are willing to pay more attention to the story. This is not a casual read.
There’s also a roleplaying supplement in the back of the book for those who wish to incorporate some of these characters into their gameplay.
Second feature “The Anarch Tales” features Colleen Pendergrass, a human turned vampire (a “thin blood”) by her former husband. She seeks to protect and provide for a small group of friends and relatives, buying them the rejected blood donations of junkies. However, her activities have come to the attention of some vigilante vampire hunters. FOUR STARS.
No comments:
Post a Comment