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LWIC: Batman’s Older Brother?

Last Week In Comics: A fresh take on 5-day-old comics.

Last week provided a great batch of comics to read at all hours of the night while the baby still has his days and nights mixed up. Last week there were solid introductions and many explanations of storylines making choosing just one comic as the best quite challenging.

Action Comics #868

Two issues ago Braniac was searching for Superman. Last issue Superman was searching for Braniac. This week the reasons behind these two quests are explained.

This is an example of the above mentioned “explanation issue” where we see Braniac’s motive and reasoning for bottling the city of Kandor in the past and the last two issues’ quests.

The explanation is nothing stellar though, it’s the standard Braniac takes a bottled specimen of civilization to acquire knowledge with a small twist. In the past it was assumed that Braniac just took specimens but now we find out Braniac wants sole possession all knowledge by destroying every remnant of his acquired specimens loose in the universe.

Standard fair but well done, especially the interaction of Superman’s supporting cast (see above image) putting this an par with Johns’ and Frank’s last arc. I do get a funny feeling that this is just another Geoff Johns’ reboot of a popular character’s origin, similar to the current Green Lantern arc. I hope this does not become a cookie cutter standard for Mr. Johns.

Amazing Spider-Man #567

Kraven’s first hunt huh, and She goes after Spider-Man? I do remember her babbling about other hunts while she chased down Peter Parker’s roommate in a Spidey costume. All nitpicking with the title aside, since it has been three weeks since part two of this story here is a recap:

Still with us? Good. So in this issue Daredevil (really Spider-Man), Spider-Man (really Spidey’s roommate), and Vermin team-up against Kraven. The two heroes escape leaving Vermin to take care of Kraven, but she escapes and a set-up for a later meeting is foreshadowed.

Not a great issue, but there is something that stood out that I must mention: I feel that Spider-Man is going all “Dark Knight” on us, with is lie of why there was a Spider-Man costume in Vin Gonzales apartment making himself out to be a villain or dark vigilante instead of the inspiring hero he once was.

Batman Confidential #20

Again Batman takes down a thug, a huge thug too, with one punch. Batgirl was attempting to take down a huge Russian mobster hitting him throughout a whole page without him even flinching. Then Batman steps in and “One Punch!”

As for the story… it’s dragging on. It was an interesting concept, especially the part were the two female leads fight nude, but the fact that three issues later and they are still chasing after Jim Gordon’s notebook is crazy.

I was reading “Batman in the Seventies” and almost every story in trade was one issue long with a much more complicated plot than chasing after a notebook.

I don’t mind long story arcs when the concept is strong enough with the proper twists to fill multiple issues, but a story as simple as the one is ridiculous. Not every storyline should have it’s own trade paperback.

Booster Gold #11

So Geoff Johns sets up and begins another great adventure for “The Greatest Hero You’ve Never Heard Of.” Wait a minute… Chuck Dixion wrote this issue and it didn’t even skip a beat… I may not have noticed it if not for doing this review.

In this series Geoff Johns reestablished Booster Gold as such a strong character with a distinct personality and supporting cast that even with a new writer it still feels like exact same Booster Gold. Even Skeet’s personality as a loyal companion undercover is perfect with Dixion writing it.

Final Crisis - Revelations #1

First off I have to say that this issue starts with a disturbing scene where Dr. Light is celebrating the death of the Martian Manhunter by raping young girls who are dressed as different Teen Titans. The Specter, who is the vengeance of God, appears and “judges” him for being a rapist and murder. This was a very disturbing scene, but so is the real fight between good and true evil.

After that scene I knew that Rucka was serious and the evil in this series would be very evil and the good would have to walk the fine line between both good and evil.

I wonder if Greg Rucka had this whole story planned out when he started writing 52? Ever since his characters Renee Montoya took over the mantle of the Question and Crispus Allen became the Specter because this issue was closely tied to 52 and each character’s mini series.

In relation to Final Crisis, we find out more about Libra. Not only does he claim to be “eternal” it seems as if the power of God himself (via the Specter) can not touch him.

I highly recommend reading this series even if you are not reading Final Crisis, don’t wait for the trade.  After reading this issue I don’t think that Rucka will let us down with this battle between good and evil.

Green Arrow and Black Canary #11

Eleven issues later and we are still reading the second story arc that technically is a continuation of the one started in the very first issue.

So Batman figures out that the League of Assassins that has been present the last couple of issues is not the real League of Assassins.

This issue explains that fact and ends with the reveal of who is really behind the assassination attempt on Ollie that took out his son. At least the story is picking up by finally explaining the how and why Connor Hawke was shot.

My personal opinion on this series is similar to the above assessment of the recent Batman Confidential arc… not all stories need to be drawn out for a trade.

Green Lantern Corps #27

This issue goes all “Ghost Hunters” and “Paranormal State” on us with a Green Lantern who can speak to the dead.

I would normally write this off as corny but it works, and it works well. It seems as if all of the dead Green Lanterns are scared for what will happen, which I assume is the upcoming “Darkest Night” storyline. But the speaking to the dead plays a bigger role in this issue.

It seems as if some of the Sinestro Corps are still wielding rings and spreading fear throughout the universe, specifically targeting families of new Green Lantern recruits. The raining of dead family member’s eyeballs was disturbing, powerful, and worked well in conjunction with the Lantern who talks to the dead.
The more I read of this series and it’s great characters the more I am reminded that Hal Jordan is not the only Green Lantern, and I like that.

Trinity #11

OK I am tired about writing about this series…

I will continue to read it, but I doubt I will review it any more unless something important comes up.

I do have to say that my complaint of Superman acting out of character was addressed.

On a positive note, the back-up story in this issue was great and the use of the Outsiders was better than anything written thus far in their own series.

and…

THE BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK:
BATMAN #679

I have a whole page of notes on this issue and don’t know where to begin. First of all I have been slightly confused by this storyline thus far, but I am now seeing how every little thing that Morrison has written in every issue of Batman (minus the Return of Ras) plays a role in this story.

So Batman is now crazy, and he has gone crazy willingly and on purpose. The Black Glove’s attempt to “break” the Batman with drugs and and self doubt may seemed to have worked, but Batman always has a contingency plan.

Batman is no longer Bruce Wayne or Batman, instead he is Batman of Zur-En-Arrh. Batman of ZEA is what happens to the regular Batman when his human side, Bruce Wayne, is removed. He is pure rage and slightly crazy. Think about it, one would have to be crazy to dedicate his life to dressing up like a bat and exacting revenge on every criminal… now imagine that craziness without a conscious, without a Bruce Wayne.

This is great stuff and I am glad that I have been confused for the last couple of issues.  There is something to be said when you read and issue like this and everything begins to click in your mind while you put all of the pieces together.

What makes this issue great is that while you are putting the pieces together and watching a crazy version of Batman - more questions come up. For example: Dr. Hurt, who seems to be the leader of this destruction of Batman, claims to be Thomas Wayne and accuses Bruce of being Alfred and Martha Wayne’s child. In response Alfred clearly states that he does not believe that Dr. Hurt is in fact Thomas Wayne. Maybe Dr. Hurt is Thomas Wayne, but not Bruce’s father. In Worlds Finest #223 we are told a tale of Bruce Wayne’s older brother who was brain damaged and then committed to an institution before Bruce was born. Bruce’s parents never told him about Thomas Wayne Jr. before they were murdered and that is why Batman never knew he had a brother. So could this Thomas Wayne, Dr. Hurt, be Thomas Wayne Jr. and maybe that is why Alfred does not recognize him?

Also who or what is Bat Might? Wasn’t he called Bat “Mite” and from another dimension? Why the name change? I can’t wait for the conclusion next issue.


This is how crazy Batman is without Bruce Wayne as a conscious.

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Posted by Fred, on 08/18/08 4:57 PM Bookmark this post Digg Reddit Blogg-Buzz StumbleUpon