DETECTIVE COMICS #25 by John Layman and Jason Fabok; Backup by John Layman and Jorge Lucas
Were you fortunate enough to read the Riddler one-shot during Villains Month? If so, you no doubt remember how awesome and character defining it was. (I gave it a 10.) If you want that amount of quality for a Jim Gordon tale, then pick up Detective Comics #25 immediately. I have to applaud John Layman for making such an incredible effort for what could have easily just been a phoned in tie-in to Zero Year. This issue shows exactly why Gordon trusts the vigilante Batman and even gives us the origin of the Batsignal. Seeing Roman Sionis before his Black Mask days was a nice touch as well.
How can we talk about an issue of Detective Comics these days and not mention Jason Fabok's spellbinding artwork? Being a longtime fan of Resident Evil, I was delighted to see his homage to the survival horror series on this month's cover. If memory serves me, it's referencing one of the covers used for Resident Evil 4. His depiction of a noir-ish, rain-soaked Gotham was the perfect setting for this tale of a young Gordon trying to be an honest cop in a city festering with corruption. The only thing that I wish had been included was a full shot of Batman in his Zero Year costume. When he does show up he's draped almost entirely in shadow. I wonder if that was Fabok's intention or if he didn't get a look at concept art before having to make his deadline. He draws the best Batman in the business right now and I was hoping to see his take on that particular costume.
You should be pleased to know that the book justifies its $3.99 price point and actually includes a backup story, unlike last month. It's capably drawn by Jorge Lucas and is set in the present day. It does fit in with the main story told in this issue, but is used to further Layman's ongoing Man-Bat story. I'm pretty sure he's wrapping up that arc with issue 26 next month.
So if you're a fan of a Gordon tour de force like Batman: Year One, then you absolutely must pick up this issue. It's also what I imagine Fox's upcoming Gotham TV series to be like, at least in tone and Batman actually shows up here. This may be the most vital read of any Zero Year tie-in.
Score: 9/10.
EARTH 2 #17 by Tom Taylor and Nicola Scott
Now that's Moe like it! I haven't read much of Earth 2 before this issue. What I did read I didn't like. At all. Well, aside from issue one. I decided to give the series another chance now that Tom Taylor has taken over writing duties. You may recognize him as the writer of the acclaimed comic book tie-in for the Injustice: Gods Among Us video game. Believe me, the comic far surpasses the quality of the game. Much like that universe, he's given the opportunity to make an alternate universe his own sandbox and give us new interpretations of characters that we wouldn't get in the main DC Universe, which I still refer to as Earth 0.
Even though Taylor continues a story that James Robinson started, I think this is fairly friendly to new readers. I'll tell you what you need to know going in to understand this issue. Much like the Apokoliptian invasion in Justice League: Origin, Darkseid has invaded Earths throughout the multiverse. In stopping the invasion of Earth 2, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman were all killed. In the meantime, new interpretations of Green Lantern Alan Scott, The Jay Garrick Flash, Dr. Fate, and more have stepped up to protect their planet. Not long ago, a new Batman that fans of Flashpoint will love emerged as a wildcard and is set to play a huge role in events to come. Darkseid has also returned in attempt to raze Earth 2 yet again with a new right hand man: Superman. It turns out he is, in fact, alive and corrupted by the Lord of Apokolips. It's reminiscent of the finale of Superman: The Animated Series, but this Superman seems like he's beyond redemption. Lois Lane, who also met an early demise, has found new life as the Red Tornado android. This is going to get interesting!
There's a lot to appreciate here. You get Taylor's outside the box writing, Nicola Scott's eye-popping artwork, and a beautiful cover drawn by Ethan Van Sciver to boot. This is a definite recommendation for fans of Elseworlds, Injustice, and Flashpoint (why do I keep mentioning that last one?). If you have three bucks to spare when you visit your comic shop this week, there probably aren't many books that will be more enjoyable than this.
Score: 9/10.