More on the Batman's Mysterious Robin Replacement who Could Be Harper Row

More and more fans are leaning towards the idea that the new blue themed vigilante working closely with Batman as a potential Robin (Damian Wayne) replacement is really Harper Row.

Here's a sneak peek at the upcoming Batman # 28 with art by Dustin Nguyen who I've really missed in mainstream stuff. The book, as usual, will be written by Scott Snyder.

Also thank god for a break from Zero Year, seriously that things becoming too much of a drag now. Too many variables, too many crossovers and too many villains.

Credits:  Comics X-Aminer

Batman # 25 Spoilers - Betrayal

There's betrayal afloat in the final pages of Batman # 25 which came out this week courtesy of DC Comics, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo as part of ZERO YEAR.

Summary:

Batman dodges the authorities once again, shows off his new Batmobile while fleeing his pursuers. There's a subplot about a mysterious case where the dead guy grows weird bones on his being which kills him. Apparently Pamela Isley (Poison Ivy) works in the same lab. Bruce Wayne investigates further and uses his main lead which is Lucious Fox (which is his first appearance for Zero Year).

Who is this guy? I'm betting this is the New 52 version of Doctor Death although I might be wrong. Read an interview that this has got ties to Batman's early case before the New 52, as in it dates that far back.

Oh and I really just couldn't see Morgan Freemann do this to Christian Bale.

BATMAN # 23 Review

Reviewing BATMAN # 23 from DC Comics written by Scott Snyder with art by Greg Capullo. Special thanks to Comicx Hub.

Witness the moment Bruce Wayne becomes Batman as “Zero Year” makes history! And in the backup story, a young Bruce Wayne fights for his life in a death match in Russia!

Written by: Scott Snyder
Art by: Greg Capullo
Danny Miki
Backup Art by: Rafael Albuquerque
Cover by: Greg Capullo
Variant Cover by: Gary Frank/ Greg Capullo

One of the things that raised my curiosity about Scott Snyder's ambitious "ZERO YEAR" project was how he's going to pull off the whole 'becoming Batman' part considering that this is new territory as in New 52. With the release of Batman # 23 however, I am confident that Snyder and Capullo have already mapped out what they plan to touch on in this brave new world for the caped crusader, his allies and his future enemies.

This issue focuses on a number of the things, the brutal ambush of the Red Hood gang on Bruce Wayne, Bruce's return to the Wayne Manor, Edward Nygma's betrayal of Philip Kane and the finally Bruce's acceptance into being the Batman. 

The art, as always, was great. Capullo really went mad with the panels especially for the nonlinear storytelling of the Red Hood gang ambush and how Wayne managed to get his butt back to the Manor. 

For some weird reason, this new origin for Batman is working for me. I guess it's really more because it ties in everything neatly while giving this 21st Century energy and vibe to the character. Remember it's been decades since we got any new origin story for the Dark Knight with the last one that got major promotion and push was Frank Miller's BATMAN: YEAR ONE. 

The narrative, the exposition, the timing and even the technology might've changed but you can definitely be assured that most things are left intact most especially the scene in the library where Bruce Wayne finally decides to become the Batman partly after getting beaten, and remembering the little camera he used when he fell down the Batcave back when he was still a kid; like I said, ties in everything together. 

The backup was kinda bland because it ends in such a dour note albeit we did get to see Bruce sticking to his no-killing principles as it's being put through the ringer. Again, it had such great pacing but the ending was anti-climatic. Could've been worse though. 

One last thing about issue 23, and the entire ZERO YEAR story arc is that it touches on a very nice topic for the Batman mythos. Did Batman bring about the creation of his rogues or were the rogues really going to take over regardless of Batman/ Bruce Wayne returning. Secondly, was the Joker - Batman rivalry just a thing between the two entities after Batman's emergence or has this been going on prior to these two really settling in Gotham City.

The answer for the first is still up in the air as we need to make an assessment on what's going on and how the story pans out. The second question actually gets answered already as Snyder seems to imply that the massive grudge match between Batman and the Joker started before they were even the latter and the former. This puts a deeper meaning into the bizaare relationship of those two, and seems to reinforce the point that Joker proved back in "Death of the Family"... he doesn't care who Bruce Wayne is. 

VERDICT: B-

Get your copies of Batman # 23 from Comicx Hub and Castle Geek

Batman # 22 Review

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo continue to create a definitive origin for the New 52 Batman in Batman # 22, part 2 of "Zero Year". Review powered by Castle Geek and Comicx Hub.

It's the first encounter between Bruce Wayne and his other rogues in the midst of his war against the Red Hood gang. Other writers could've taken a backseat and write a contrived story beat but Snyder impresses us with something that's got more meat. 

I still don't like pre-Justice League # 1 Batman/Bruce Wayne. He just scratches me the wrong way. Then again, there are dozens of portrayals of  Batman in the New 52 that rubs me the wrong way. The redeeming factor for young Bruce is that he's slowly crawling out of the slump that he's currently in now. That and the fact that it's fun to see hims screw up and come up with bizaare ideas to get out of that mess.

There's a good drama bit between Alfred and Bruce here in this issue which was very deep. It's what we've all been waiting for Alfred to give to his young master ever since he returned to Gotham City. It's very "The Dark Knight Rises"-ish. And just like TDKR, it ends really bad not just for Bruce but for his entire bunker. Something I look forward to see dealt with next issue.

The encounter between Edward Nygma (The Riddler) and Bruce Wayne was also entertaining. The design of the panels was even better.It's like a quite taste of what these will be doing in a few more months (or a maybe a year or so given that the New 52 Universe's timeline as confusing as hell itself).  On the other hand, things really didn't start great for Bruce Wayne and Oswald Cobblepott who later becomes the Penguin. 

The back-up bit written by Snyder and Tynion together with Rafael Albuquerque's art is impressive. It's about beating and beating the impossible and ties neatly to the current storyline. Problem is, I'm having a hard time connecting the Bruce Wayne from the backup with the Wayne that's in the main story. After all, he did learn that sometimes winning will require you to do the impossible. And that's obviously not the case for the Gotham Bruce.

Still, for it's cover price, I'd say Batman # 22 is a decent book to pick up. Nothing mindblowing in this issue though. Just enough to whet your appetite for much more in this book's future.

Get your copy from Castle Geek branches in The Collective and Glorietta; or get yours online through Comicx Hub (click on this link HERE)

Superman Unchained # 1 Review

Comicx Hub and Castle Geek presents this review of Superman Unchained # 1written by Scott Snyder with art by Jim Lee.

Check out the spoiler-ific review after the break:

Batman # 21 Review

Reviewing Batman # 21 from DC Comics written by Scott Snyder with art by Greg Capullo in partnership with Comicx Hub and Castle Geek!

Some spoilers here and there in this review guys. The book is still available in Castle Geek The Collective and Glorietta and online through Comicx Hub! Check out the review after the break.

Comicx Hub and Castle Geek Celebrates Man of Steel Day!!!

MANILA, Philipines - This Wednesday June 12th, CASTLE GEEK, the fastest growing comic shop in Manila joins the worldwide festivities as they celebrate MAN OF STEEL DAY at the following locations:

CASTLE GEEK – THE COLLECTIVE
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LUCKY CHINA TOWN
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Get a FREE copy of ALL STAR SUPERMAN #1 SPECIAL EDITION by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely just by going to these locations.

Comicx Hub Invites You to a Special Man of Steel Screening

CASTLE GEEK, NEUTRAL GROUNDS, COMICX HUB brings you another GEEK EVENT this time for the most anticipated SUMMER SUPER HERO MOVIE of the YEAR!

MAN OF STEEL

Join us on Thursday, June 13 at 6:45 PM at the Glorietta Cinema 7 for the SPECIAL BLOCK SCREENING of Zack Snyder's MAN OF STEEL!

Get your Tickets FREE!

MECHANICS:

Did We Just See Batman Beyond in Batman # 20 - SPOILERS

Was checking the scans today for Batman # 16 (Sorry the shipments were delayed and I wanted my comics fix already) and it seems like Batman just wore the Batman Beyond suit to save his and Lucius Fox's hide.

 
Find out about Batman Beyond reference/cameo/ appearance after the cut. Oh and 

Batman # 19 SPOILERS

Spoilers for this week's Batman # 19 from DC Comics; written by Scott Snyder with art by Greg Capullo. It's a new arc and a new villain to boot for Batman who's still brooding about the fallout from Death of the Family plus the untimely death of his son Damian Wayne.

Here's the full cover for this month's Batman in case you haven't seen it...

Get the spoilers after the cut.

Batman # 19 Gatefold Cover Revealed

The mysterious half of the cover for Batman # 19 has been officially revealed care of CBR.

Check out who Bruce Wayne's greatest nemesis is after the break...

Batman # 18 Spoilers

Spoilers up for this month's issue of Batman (Batman # 18) from DC Comics. The book is written by Scott Snyder with art by Andy Kubert and Alex Maleev.

Check out the spoilers after the cut...

DC to Release to Batman Zero Year Storyline

DC Comics has officially announced that Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Batman with a new story arc entitled "Year Zero". 

This would be an 11 issue story arc and will detail what happens after Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham City from his training abroad. If you need to go and do a startup for the storyline, you might want to pick up Batman # 0.

Harper Row - A Potential Robin

I'm always mystified with the subject of Batman character Harper Row and now that Damian Wayne is Robin, there's a strong rumor going around the comics world that this might be the chance for Row to take center stage as a new replacement for Robin. 

She first got a major push from DC Comics back in Batman # 12 which is a stand alone story, a filler issue if you will, between major arcs "Night of the Owls" and "Death of the Family". 

In this story, she shows that she's a very independent and capable woman living with her brother. She's later seen helping out Batman in the sewers as he tries to do what he does best, kicking badguy butt. Later we also find out that Harper's been invited to a party in Bruce Wayne's house. 

DC Collectibles Coming Up with New 52 Joker

Mind you it's not just the conventional New 52 The Joker action figure. It's the creepy version from that awful "Death of the Family" story arc.

So yeah, forget the story and all those neat die-cast covers, the most important thing that Death of the Family has given us fans is this scary new look for Joker which conveniently carries over to the upcoming action figure. I'm trying to find more details about this figure but nothing's coming up.

Thank you for this Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo.

Batman # 16 Spoilers - An Electrifying Ending

Batman # 16 came out this week and I must admit that the book managed to save me from completely dropping it from my real world comic book pull list. If anything the last page for the book got me hankering for the next issue (which would be the finale for "Death of the Family").

The book is written by Scott Snyder with art by Greg Capullo. Also check out the cool variant cover...

Read more after the cut...

Batman # 15 Spoilers - Did the Joker Get Inside the Cave?

Spoilers up for Batman # 15 by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo from DC Comics.

In this new issue we find out what the Joker has on Batman (or not have depending on whether you believe Bruce Wayne's rationalization) and how the family reacts to this new development.

Read it after the cut.

We pick up after the events of Batman # 14 and we see Bats still trapped in the Joker's 'grasp'.Basically the Joker kicks Bruce's ass even after the latter manages to get himself out of his bindings.

After dreaming up a rather freaky and disturbing dream, Bruce Wayne finds himself back in the Batcave with the rest of his family (Nightwing, Red Robin, Red Hood, Robin & Batgirl).

The Family forces Bruce into telling them what Joker was talking about, specifically about a card. Then Batman begins his little tale...

It's also cool to know that at the very least, Batman Incorporated still fits into the general scheme of things in the Bat-books. 

In Bruce's tale we find Bats and the Joker fighting once more...

The kicker here is whether or not The Joker did gain entry to the Batcave after Batman successfully foils his plans. The floating card in the dock is also the reason why Batman goes on and stick the Joker card in the Batcave.

Batman leaves the Bat-family and the cave in order to get to the bottom of this madness with the Joker leading him directly to the one place where the Clown prince fits right in... Arkham Asylum. 

So the real question here is whether or not The Joker really knows the real identity of Batman and the rest of his 'family'. Damn you Snyder and Capullo. 

I got mine from ComicxHub...

 

The Joker Reveals his True Motivations in Batman # 14

The Joker has been running rampant all across the Bat-books with the release of "Death of the Family" and readers have all been wondering what the Clown Prince's endgame is. Well we don't have to wait much long as Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo reveals Joker's plans in Batman # 14 out this week.

Take it away Mr. J.

What's Lurking in the Water in Swamp Thing # 14

The Swamp Thing/ Animal Man crossover event "Rotworld" was surprisingly good in my opinion which is why I'm keeping a close eye on the stories (particularly the Green Kingdom).



This issue continues the battle between the Rot mutated Teen Titans against the trio of Deadman, Poison Ivy and Alec Holland aka Swamp Thing. Swampy goes huge and literally stomps the invading rot creatures before confronting the creepy Parliament of Trees. 

Batman # 14 Preview

• "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