For the last three years I have embarked on a Comics Odyssey, reading and writing reviews of comics towards an ambitious goal which I only attained on one of three attempts. This year, I still want to read more comics and write reviews, but I’m not setting a specific goal. I’ll just document them and number them. We’ll see how far I can go . . . . . . .
#765-#766 BATMAN: FULL MOON - BOOK ONE by Rodney Barnes and Steven Subic (DC Comics/Black Label, December 2024) Just last week, I commented on my opinion of stories where superheroes go up against vampires and/or other classic monsters. In my view, it’s a hard mix and there are few exceptions where it works. I believe I have discovered another book to add to those exceptions: this one!
Skilled writer Rodney Barnes (Killadelphia) knows how to build suspense and bring on the horror elements, and he does so effectively. Artist Steven Subic’s style really creates the creepy atmosphere and his action images reveal a lycanthrope that is extremely bestial and deadly.
In this debut issue the story jumps around a bit but the highlight is changing the point of view when the scenes change back and forth between Bruce Wayne/Batman and Christian Talbot/The Werewolf. Talbot has an interesting backstory and a caring human side that is unable to control the lycan urges despite his efforts.
There are many secondary players in the story, and Barnes incorporates them effortlessly. Dr. Kirk Langstrom/Man-Bat recognizes the problem right away and offers assistance. Bruce Wayne is dating supernatural magician Zatanna, and is competing for her attention with John Constantine/Hellblazer. This is one to keep an eye on. A very promising debut, that gets FOUR STARS for now. I want to see what else Barnes & Subic will bring to the table.
#767 - #768 ALL IN SPECIAL one-shot by Joshua Williamson & Scott Snyder with art by Daniel Tampere, Dan Mora, and Wes Craig (DC Comics, December 2024)
This begins 52 days after the last major event/upset (Absolute Power, I presume).
The Justice League has a new upgraded headquarters in space and basically accepts every superhero into membership. This becomes a defining moment for Booster Gold, who has become humble.
Not long after their opening night celebration, Darkseid invades. He’s absorbed the Spectre into his persona, and is on a rampage either wanting to know what was hidden from him or the answer to the meaning of life. (Depends on whether you read the Alpha or Omega stories - - this is a flip book).
This leads into the next iteration of the DC Universe - - to be continued, I assume, in the new books with the All-In logo on the cover.
A fun read, but not enough to persuade me to go All-In. My favorite part was dwelling over the interesting art. THREE STARS.
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