BATMAN AND ROBIN # 23.2 - COURT OF OWLS Review

Quick review for BATMAN AND ROBIN # 23.2 featuring the Court of Owls by James Tynion IV and Jorge Lucas.

The Court is back or rather retreating in the midst of the chaos that the Crime Syndicate has unleashed in FOREVER EVIL. This issue stands as both a way to introduce us to follow the Court of Owls and at the same time show us their dark and sordid history. 

In this issue we find out how they take out their enemies, how they effectively coerce their pawns and shows us how deep the relationship is between the Court and their Talons. Tynion writes some grim and gritty scenery splattered throughout the book and raises reader curiosity. 

But while the art works fine in this tale of tragedy and resilience it still rubs us as a bad version of Howard Chaykin. Now don't get me wrong, I'm sure Mr. Lucas can do great stuff given a happier mood but the pairing of the story with the artist just went too far for. Too perfect in fact, that it started to look weird. Not bad, just weird. 

There's also the opening pages which harkens back to the good old classic suspense/ horror movies of old where the characters turn around and the killer is already behind them, draped in darkness and ready to kill for whatever nefarious reasons. Tynion IV excelled in those particular scenes, heck the little kid reciting the Court's classic poem added more 'creep' factor IMHO.

Reader/ buyer beware as there's just a lot of bloodletting in this issue. Just letting you know. 

The premise was concise and clear and shock of the climax for this issue proves us that just because the members of the Court of Owls are mere mortals and rich people wearing creepy masks; they also have the penchant to murder and maim when the chance presents itself. Finally the mystery behind "the first Talon" is definitely something I want to get back too especially since I think TALON is such an underrated Bat-book. 

BATMAN AND ROBIN # 23.1 - TWO FACE Review

Took me awhile before I got my hands on BATMAN AND ROBIN # 23.1 - TWO FACE by Peter Tomasi and Guillem March. But here it is.

Written by:
Peter J. Tomasi
Art by:
Guillem March
Cover by:
Chris Burnham

"Two-Face is approached to join the Secret Society! Which side will his coin land on?"

So what hooked me here is that it's a book that literally surprises readers in a lot of aspects. Let me list down and point out the various two-sidedness of this stand alone issue.

Two-Face always intrigued me, but DC never had great stuff for the character and as such he was always relegated to the sidelines. Jim Lee's Hush gave us a chance to start liking the 'reformed' Harvey Dent and for awhile he really did kick ass both as Gotham's top district attorney (it's a long story) and as a vigilante of sorts. Then DC decided to throw it all out by returning Dent to the Two-Face persona we all know and love to hate.

That was it. Back to being a one-trick pony and a sub villain for major arcs. There were those brief moments when we almost saw Dent as a good guy once again such as during the initial tease for "Batman Reborn" and "Battle for the Cowl' but that was all a ruse and nothing more. Then the New 52 came and cemented Dent once again as a bad guy.

Whew, such a long intro I apologize but all that has a point. You see in this issue, what basically happens is Dent goes on mulling the possibility of joining The Secret Society which leads to that four page spread from FOREVER EVIL # 1. Before that though we see a little of Harvey's noble side. The dude postulates that Gotham needs a protector or a destroyer. As the story progresses we see that Mr. Dent actually has the capacity to do both.

March's panelling here is exquisite much less his art. Around the middle of the issue, we're already being treated to a two-faced panel of sorts with the top focusing on the violence and chaos that the Crime Syndicate has presented to the criminal scum of Gotham. On the bottom panel is the order and justice that Harvey Dent once walked proudly on. Yes it's amazing. 

The last part is the standard denouement for Dent who makes a chilling choice and a stronger case of insanity. His perversion on the fairness of a coin flip and it's play on the Secret Society's mode of communication and teleportation. 

If DC's mission statement for the FOREVER EVIL tie-ins is to let us peer into the mind of a killer I can definitely vouch for Batman and Robin # 23.1 for it's insanity and grit. Go, grab this book. 

GRADE: A

Batman and Red Hood # 20 Spoilers ~ Batman is an Asshole

Batman shows his asshole side once again in this issue of Batman and Robin Batman and Red Hood # 20.

Once again spoilers after the cut...

New Covers for the Batman Books Post Damian Wayne Death

Following the heavily spoiled death of Damian Wayne in Batman Incorporated # 8 (Don't worry, he'll be back) DC Comics has released the Robin-centric covers for next month's Batman book covers.

Batman # 18

Batman # 19

More covers after the cut...

Batman and Robin # 17 Spoilers - Alfred's Kick Ass Dream

It's rare that we get to read some straight out awesome dream sequences in comics these days especially coming from the Big Two. DC's Batman and Robin # 17 however returns to those old segments via Alfred Pennyworth's dream.

In this issue which is sort of a breather in between the story arcs and tie-ins to "Death of the Family", we basically take a look at what each member of the Wayne household dreams up while sleeping.While the dreams of Bruce Wayne and his son Damian might be interesting, the real scene-stealer in this issue would have to be Alfred's dream. Also spoiler alert if you haven't read the issue. 

Spoilers for BATGIRL # 16 and BATMAN AND ROBIN # 16

Interesting that both Batman and Robin # 16 as well as Batgirl # 16 ends in a similar fashion. 

So anyway, I completely forgot that I have this:

Check out the spoilers after the cut. 

A Touching Moment Between Bruce and Damian in Batman and Robin # 14

This week's Batman and Robin issue (Batman and Robin # 14) features a rather touching scene between Bruce Wayne and his 10 year old son/sidekick Robin aka Damian Wayne.

In the issue's 'epilogue' we get to witness a soft moment between the father and son team which was a surprise seeing that the last few issues were all-out action issues. 

Die Cut Covers for 'Death of the Family' Batman Books

Greg Capullo wows comic book fans with the release of all the die cut covers for the Bat Books for the upcoming crossover 'Death of the Family'.

The book will be written by Scott Snyder together with Greg Capullo as well as the other talented creative teams for books like Nightwing, Batgirl, Red Hoo and the Outlaws, Batman and Robin, Batman Incorporated, Suicide Squad, Teen Titans and Catwoman.

Batman and Robin # 0 Made Me Realize Something

Batman and Robin # 0 made me realize that it's already been six years since the first story arc/ appearance of Damien Wayne.

I'm going to come clean. At first I never did like the guy. That was because at that time, Tim Drake was pretty amazing as Robin. He is after all the defacto leader of the Teen Titans around that time and he was pretty smart to boot.

Batman Solicits for November 2012 Forebodes Death of the Family

After facing the Court of Owls in 'Night of the Owls' Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo leads the charge for the next story arc in the Batman books in 'Death of the Family'.

BATMAN #14

Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Backup story written by SCOTT SNYDER and JAMES TYNION IV
Art by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION
Backup story art by JOCK
Cover by GREG CAPULLO
Variant cover by TREVOR McCARTHY
1:100 B&W Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO
On sale NOVEMBER 14 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Retailers: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the order form for more information.
• "DEATH OF THE FAMILY" continues!
• The Joker is back and somehow more sinister than ever! What caused this change? And can even Batman stop a Joker so driven and dangerous?
• And where is Alfred?
• Plus: In the backup feature, The Penguin is running out of options as he's confronted by The Joker!
This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

Batman Almost Killed a Man in Batman and Robin # 6

Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason continue to deliver a great story featuring the father and son duo of Batman and Robin in "Batman and Robin # 6" from DC Comics.

The book continues the seeming shift of allegiance of Robin (Damien Wayne) from Batman to Nobody and back again.