Batman #25 - Scott Snyder
Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo once again continue Batman's origins with "Batman #25", this time focusing on the aftermath of The Riddler's blackout. Now, I haven't been keeping up with Batman news; hell, last month I binge-read Zero Year (which worked so much better than waiting months for an issue). Now, this issue of Batman takes on a new threat during this terrible blackout, with a storm coming in fast.
What I liked about this issue was simple, Batman being a cocky son of a bitch when avoiding the cops, who once again think they are the best police force there is. However, what I didn't like about this sequence was the Batmobile design, because it seemed like a go-kart, and it's colors were too vibrant. However, it still worked in context of the comic and it was quite an exciting, classic young-Batman sequence. It's also reminisce of Batman: The Animated series with the flying blimps in Gotham, but you already knew that from the previews.
Batman #25 isn't as thrilling as previous issues, such as the one where the Red Hood turned into The Joker, but this issue is more of a great character piece that does exactly what Batman: Year One did for the cast. It's crafting Jim Gordon and Bruce Wayne into the characters we know and love; this time however, it feels more like a Batman story than a simple crime drama. It features an incredible conversation between Jim Gordon and Bruce Wayne, and ends on a shocking twist. However, if you're expecting Batman vs The Riddler, this is not the comic for you...yet. It almost doesn't have The Riddler in it besides a few mentions and a picture on a computer screen, but then again, I haven't been keeping up on Batman news so I wouldn't know if it was supposed to or not.
Greg Capullo's art is on fine form as usual, with stunningly beautiful and diverse colors from FCO Plascencia, whose work I have always loved whether it's on Batman or Invincible, however, some pages were hard to tell what was going on and I wish that Greg Capullo didn't try to attempt a false "motion blur", at least not with pencils because it didn't look quite right (especially in the sequence with the Batmobile). Overall, though, Batman #25 is as beautiful as any other Batman comic by Snyder and Capullo and I don't see that changing anytime soon.8.5/10
Injustice Gods Among Us Annual #1 - Tom Taylor
Tom Taylor, who has been one famous face in DC Comics this past year, brings back his best-selling series Injustice: Gods Among Us for a huge annual one-shot featuring the main main, Lobo, on the hunt for Harley Quinn. My god, this is one of the best books -- both Marvel, DC, Independant, etc --I have read this year by far. It's no surprise, considering Tom Taylor's Injustice has received nothing but critical praise over it's run, which ended it's first "year" a few weeks back.
I firmly believe, that in this era of DC Comics, Tom Taylor is the best writer for Harley Quinn. He just "gets" her and knows how to give the character some deep layers and the best part about this Injustice universe is that The Joker is dead, and Harley is standalone. I think there's a challenge there, to write her independent of The Joker considering many have failed in recent comics (I'm looking at you, Matt Kindt.) Not only that, but Taylor also near-perfectly writes Lobo, a character who almost doesn't get enough recognition. And although I'm largely looking forward to the New 52 Lobo's adventures, this book reminded me why I loved the old, classic version of the character.
The artwork in the Injustice Annual features different artists throughout the issue, and despite this, it was easily consistent in design. I didn't notice any major changes in the art that made me go "wait, what?" or flip back to make sure I wasn't going crazy, hell, on my first read-through I didn't even notice that there were changes in the artwork, because they all stick to the same design and it's some great work done.
This story is also easily accessible to anyone who's never read Injustice: Gods Among Us before considering it takes place in the early stages of "Year One" before the big climatic storyline; this is proven by certain characters being alive in the book, as well as certain relationships still being formed. Taylor can perfectly define a character, easily. If I looked at the dialogue from a character and said "could someone else say that?", they wouldn't be able to. Injustice Annual is a perfect comic, seriously. Tom Taylor has undoubtedly redefind the standards of a superhero comic with Injustice: Gods Among Us and I expect nothing but big things in Earth-2.10/10
Superman/Wonder Woman #2 - Charles Soule
Superman/Wonder Woman #2 continues the adventures of the most powerful couple in comics, however, is the second issue by Charles Soule just as good as the first? Does it deliver the same impact?
The short answer is yes. It does. This issue features Superman and Wonder Woman recovering from Doomsday's attack in the storm and trying to figure out a way to defeat the monster if he ever should return.
My favorite part about this series is the dynamic between Clark and Diana and how they understand each other because in a way, they're completely compatible. In this issue, Superman and Diana visit her brother so he can make some armor for them to defeat Doomsday (whose flickering in and out of the Phantom Zone) which leads to a whole family of gods finding out about Superman and Wonder Woman's romantic involvement and ends up having some classic, funny moments that's best left unspoiled. Charles Soule perfectly captures that "gossip" feel people have when an interesting relationship forms, but also keeps the formula of an action-packed comic book with definitive characterization.
Once again, all-star artist Tony Daniel delivers the goods and knows how to draw some really good facial expressions and action, and hasn't missed a beat since the stunning first issue. Although, that's also credit to the amazing colors by Tomeu Morey, whose contrast is amazing. Overall, the art in Superman/Wonder Woman is reason alone to read it, because of how visually stunning it is to the eyes.
8.0/10