#236-#238 = FREE FOR ALL written, illustrated, colored and lettered by Patrick Horvath (Oni Press, March 2025) “Capitalism by Combat” - - what a concept! In my dreams, I would love to see some elite billionaires (but not all, just the nasty ones) have to fight each other in order to hang onto their ill-gotten gains.
In Patrick Horvath’s futuristic sci-fi/fantasy tale, I get to see my dream visualized. Pick two combatants of your choice. For me, it would be Elon Musk versus one of his ex-wives.
“In the future, the World Finance League exists to benefit all, randomly choosing from among the billionaires and trilliionaires of the world and presenting them with a choice: Either donate half of their assets to the common good - - or defend them in ritual combat.
Ted Brooks, reigning champion and real estate magnate (I just thought of another person I’d like to see) has 22 victories under his belt - -defending the wealth he has schemed and stabbed to get - when he is forced to face his ex-wife Luella Dominguez, in a fight to the death. Luella has been training, waiting for this moment. But will she have what it takes to defeat the man who would do anything - absolutely anything - to keep his fortune?”
I’m not giving anything away. You’ll have to get your own copy to read and see who wins.
Horvath does a great job of conceptualizing a modern gladiatorial arena and his fight scenes are very cinematic and fluid (and plenty of fluids are released and spilled). This book has been touted by some reviewers as the best stand-alone, one-shot story of the year. It’s a little too early to be claiming victory for that award. Also, as much as I love this story, I just think something better will be released before we say goodbye to 2025. FOUR AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#239-#242 = BATMAN/SUPERMAN #6-#9 by Joshua Williamson with art by David Marquez (#6), Nick Derington (#7-#8), Clayton Henry (#9): (DC Comics, March-July 2020)
Issue #6 is a follow-up to the Infection storyline, following its aftermath. Superman and Batman help Wonder Woman finish a battle with some leftovers from the war, and her comments put them in a soul-searching mood. They realize by being secretive during the Infection they played into the plans of The Batman Who Laughs, and decide to consider some new ways of doing things. They agree to be more transparent and more willing to share information with the Justice League. Ho hum. See how long Batman keeps his word.
Issue #7 and #8 were more interesting with a two-part “Kandor Compromise” story. General Zod is back on Earth, has the remnants of the bottle city of Kandor and it’s dead population and wants to use the Lazarus Pits of Ra’s al Ghul to resurrect them. Zod battles al Ghul, with Batman and Superman caught in the middle.
Issue #9 is a prelude to the next story arc, with the Atomic Skull keeping Batman and Superman occupied. He just happens to be an escapee from the huge ape-like Ultra-Humanite, who is assembling an Atomic Army. THREE STARS overall for these issues.
#243-#247 = CATWOMAN #1-#5 by Judd Winnick and Guillem March (DC Comics, November 2011-March 2012) I remember former Captain Blue Hen employee Kita Roberts describing DC’s New 52 line as the “sluttier, bloodier” DC. The New 52 version of CATWOMAN depicted here certainly serves as the best evidence for her summation. If I remember correctly, the SUICIDE SQUAD and HARLEY QUINN titles of The New 52 were similar.
This is sexy. Catwoman sleeps with Batman, in what serves as a kind of landmark/key issue in DC history. This is violent. There’s blood, and brutality - as Catwoman attacks villain Bone with a baseball bat and doesn’t let up. There’s lots of images of her revealing bosom and tight butt in form-fitting vinyl.
But underneath all the gloss on this title is a solid Winnick story and some of the best art I’ve seen from March. Selina Kyle gets a little over-confident in her thieving abilities and gets reckless, resulting in the death of her long-time fence and good friend. It’s her remorse and anger that drives her to brutal measures.
As for the sex scene, it’s kind of tame compared to today’s standards. Issue #1 ends with a confrontation between Catwoman and Batman. They both decide they don’t want to fight and begin kissing and fondling each other, still with their costumes on. Issue #2 begins with them waking up in bed, still partially clothed.
In summary, this was more entertaining than your average superhero book. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#248-##251 = RESURRECTION MAN #4-#7 by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning with art by Fernando Dagnino (#4) and Fernando Blanco (#5-#7): (DC Comics, February-May 2012) The synopsis from the Goodreads site:
Mitch Shelby cannot die—constantly returning to life after every death with a brand new power. But what is the secret behind this gift/curse? As Mitch follows clues, he begins to discover how much of a pawn he is in a cosmic game of life and death!
I thought it was kind of odd that this would be included in the New 52 titles - - sort of a third or fourth tier character, although the premise is interesting. The art really carries this along, as it is a fast paced romp but not much else. Abnett and Lanning really don’t try to explain much. It’s just one group after another trying to chase Shelby down, and his dying and coming back every issue without any idea of what’s going on.
You get Carmen Leno and Bonnie Hoffman, the Body Doubles mercenaries, who shoot first (and often) and ask questions later. The armored Transhuman and his bio-seg ballistic shields. Deathstroke makes an appearance. Mitch spends some time in Arkham Asylum, the most interesting issue of the lot (#6). He ends up in Metropolis, and doesn’t run into Superman or any heroes, just a melee with the Intergang thugs.
TWO AND THREE-QUARTER STARS.
#252-#253 = HELLO DARKNESS #9 (Boom! Studios, March 2025) My favorite story this issue is “Teacher’s Pet” by Cullen Bunn and Daniel Bayliss. A high school teacher comes up with a unique method to get unruly students to behave better.
There’s a sneak peek this issue of the upcoming BE NOT AFRAID title by Jude Ellison S. Doyle and Lisandro Esherren, a creepy tale about a demon spawn who in his later years has a controlling stranglehold on his mother and family. Eight pages managed to create an uneasy feeling about this one. Not sure where it is going.
In just three pages “The Witch” revisits the Salem Massachusetts frenzy, written and illustrated by Sarah Anderson.
“Cemetery Cove” written and illustrated by Sina Grace is role-playing game-related and didn’t really excite me.
A mother’s love never dies in “A Time For Reflection” by Joanne Starer and Khary Randolph. Things get weird during a wake. Sometimes the deceased just can’t let go. THREE AND ONE-QUARTER STARS for Issue #9.
HELLO DARKNESS was intended as a 12-issue maxi-series. It has just been extended into an ongoing title, so we have more weird horror short tales to look forward to.
#254-#259 = 100 BULLETS, VOLUME ONE: FIRST SHOT, LAST CALL trade paperback by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso (DC Comics/Vertigo, February 2000, Second Printing)
“If A Stranger Offered You The Chance To Get Away With Murder . . . . . Would You Take It?
So freaking good . . . I had to review this a second time. That new review appears on this blog for Saturday, April 11.
FIVE STARS.
#260 = LEGENDS OF THE LEGION #4 of 4 by Barry Kitson and Tom Peyer with art by Todd Nauck (DC Comics, May 1998) This mini-series explored solo stories featuring lesser known members of the Legion Of Super-Heroes in the far future.
The stories are linked together by a field trip of high school students to Legion HQ, and each has a lesson to share.
Star Boy possesses powers of mass (increasing weight and density) and was originally a member of the Uncanny Amazers on Plane Xanthu. He wanted to strike off on his own and join up with the larger Legion of Super-Heroes. Along the way, his ship is altered, then repaired while he foils a burglary, and then blown up by space miners when mistaken for a small mineral-rich asteroid.
He barely survives, and is saved by medicine and a dose of space whale juice that gives him some additional powers as a result.
His message to the teens is that “maybe if things seem random, disconnected and senseless, we have the power to give shape to our lives . . . to follow through what’s you know, truly in our . . in our hearts. If we believe.” As one teen remarks: “oh, puh-lease!” TWO AND THREE QUARTER-STARS.
#261-#269 = 100 BULLETS, VOLUME TWO by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso (DC Comics/Vertigo, 2000)
A full review of this volume appears on the blog for Sunday, April 13
FIVE STARS.
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