Batman Eternal #11
Written By: Tim Seeley
Art By: Ian Bertram
SCORE: 10/10 PICK OF THE WEEK
If i ever had doubts about Tim Seeley as a writer, all those doubts are now gone. This is the best issue of Batman Eternal thus far. The themes of fathers and children is constant throughout, and it's some really brilliant stuff. As a Stephanie Brown purist, i had a dumb ass grin on my face during the Cluemaster sequence. It's not the same as the original origin, but i couldn't give a shit. It's brilliant. Cluemaster definitely takes some beats from his incarnation in the animated series The Batman. Seeley writes the best Stephanie of the series so far. SPOILER ALERT! Need more proof of how great Seeley is? He writes Starfire for one page and nails her characterization perfectly. Everyone seems perfectly in character and it's glorious. I think Seeley really likes Grant Morrison's Batman Incorporated, because the Brazil sequence would fit perfectly as an issue of it. Now moving to the art. Remember Ian Bertram from Peter Tomasi's Detective Comics #27 story? The guy who draws all that super quirky and hyper crazy art? The guy who's the illegitimate son of Frank Qutiely and Chris Burnham? He draws this issue, and it's absolutely amazing. Where most would probably feel his art is an shift from previous series artists like Jason Fabok or Guillem March, it's just too damn gorgeous not to love. We definitely need another Seeley/Bertram issue before the series is over. Here's to more solid character driven issues of Batman Eternal with beautiful art!
Batman and Ra's Al Ghul #32
Written By: Peter Tomasi
Art By: Pat Gleason
SCORE: 7/10
The Hunt for Robin concludes! This was a pretty rad issue, despite the fact most of it is taken up by a fight (a very kick ass fight i'll add). Pat Gleason is on his A game, because the art just friggin' pops. Batman super fierce on many occasions in this issue. The colouring is some top notch stuff with the black and green scheme from the first part, and then going back to the white and black at the end. Gleason's Batman in the shadows is way too cool for words. Tomasi is still one of DC's best character writers, effortlessly handling Ra's, Frankenstein, and Batman dialogue. The ending of this issue is kind of strange, yet makes sense in regards to the coming story arc. I didn't expect a character like that to pop up in a Batman book, thats for sure. I guess the only real bad thing about this issue is that there is more fight than a great story (see Batman Eternal #11). It's a damn good fight though.
Futures End #7
Written By: Azzarello, Giffen, Jurgens, Lemire
Art By: Aaron Lopresti
SCORE: 6/10
At this point, i feel that Futures End is a bunch of events that aren't really connected, and only half of which are interesting. The fact that the pace of these events are very slow, it feels like we don't get much out of a single issue. I personally think that the Shade stuff, the Red Robin/Lois Lane stuff, and the Batman Beyond stuff are the really fun threads. It all just moves so slowly. Batman Eternal did start off kind of slow, but now at issue #11, it seems to have hit a nice pace. I think that Futures End really needs to pick up the pace, and it seems like it will after looking after future solicitations. In terms of things i liked in this issue, it would probably be more of the Shade stuff. I'm guessing Jeff Lemire writes these parts, because his characterization really comes through. The Red Robin stuff really took a back seat this issue, and it suffered for it. I hope we can eventually get to the point from the teaser poster with the Robin and Booster Gold team-up. I miss Booster Gold. Another big problem Futures End has is the art team. Patrick Zircher is the clear stand out, but must of the other artists are just OK. Aaron Lopresti's art here doesn't really suit the book, and it's kind of messy. Next week Scot Eaton is joining the art rotation so that should be a nice change. Cully Hamner is doing an key issue in September so i'm really excited for that. While Futures End might not be super great right now, i've got hope for the FUTURE (heh)
Written By: Tony Bedard
Art By: Emanuela Lupacchino
SCORE: 6/10
I'll be finished reading Supergirl next month when the Red Lanterns crossover ends. I had some fun with this title, but it seems to be losing speed. I miss the old Kara from the Stephanie Brown Batgirl days, this Kara is always mopey and saying that people don't like her. It gets old pretty fast. I really enjoyed the Lobo issues from the beginning of Bedard's run, and Yildiray Cinar draw an amazing Kara. Emanuela Lupacchino does an OK job on the interiors here, but i think she does better cover work than interior work. There isn't too much to say about this issue, it was pretty decent. If Supergirl gets a fresh new direction in October, i'll consider reading it again. If not, i'll be getting my Supergirl fix in Lemire's Justice League United.
Daredevil #4
Written By: Mark Waid
Art By: Chris Samnee
SCORE: 7/10
Waid and Samnee are the winning combination on Daredevil. Samnee is like that guy you know from back in high school who was way too good at drawing. Samnee's art is so good, and it makes you stop and stare at every single page for longer than you need to. I don't need to say anything about Mark Waid. Despite how good the writing and art is, the direction on Daredevil has sort of deflated. Waid and Samnee hit a high point with the Ikari/Bullseye story arc back in Daredevil #23 (from the last volume). I'm saying Owl stuff going on right now is not a fun story, but it just doesn't have my full attention or interest. Despite paying my $3.99 for an issue of Daredevil, it seems like i only get $2.99 worth of story on terrible quality paper. Most Marvel books that come to my LCS already have corners bent, spines crinkled, and covers ripped. This doesn't have anything to do with Daredevil, but it seems like Marvel is making us pay more for less, especially with so many titles becoming $4.99 now. Luckily i only read about 3 or 4 Marvel titles now. BACK TO ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT DAREDEVIL. The Foggy Nelson fake death stuff is interesting, and hopefully we'll see some more reference to the stuff we saw in Daredevil #1.50. The upcoming Original Sin tie-in seems pretty cool too (unlike Original Sin BURN). Is it too much to ask fro Chris Samnee to be on a Superman ongoing? PLEASE? I'd love to see Mark Waid write it, but that is super unlikely. Daredevil is a fun book, but hopefully it can transcend "fun" into something really special again.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #35
Written By: Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow
Art By: Mateus Santolouco
SCORE: 9/10
Man, TMNT is such an awesome book. I started reading it around this time last year with City Fall, and i was hooked. It perfectly captures the Ninja Turtles, while at the same time providing interesting and new stories, with new takes on old stories and characters. This issue see some more Casey v.s. his douche bag Dad, who is also Hun in the IDW universe. Every time I see Hun I just want to punch him in the face so bad. Slash also becomes "smart" like the other turtles in this issue, and it's super cool. The Slash/Mikey friendship is super cute and i love seeing their interactions. I think the Rat King is back next issue which is cool. The art on this book is always great too, Mateus Santolouco (Dial H) is a kick ass artist for the turtles. Unlike some Marvel books, when i pay my $3.99 here, i get a thick issue of fun story and art with pretty much no adverts. Everyone should be reading TMNT. I think i might actually have to go check out the new miniseries Turtles In Time, because the art is by Ross Campbell from the Northampton story arc. His turtles are too damn cute.
PLEASE BUY TURTLES, I MEAN LOOK AT THIS
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