BATMAN #25 by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo; Backup by Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, and Andy Clarke
From the moment you open this issue, the art will suck you right in. Greg Capullo has done an amazing job of making his artwork for this arc differ from previous ones. With assistance from inker Danny Miki and colorist FCO Plasencia, this team gives you interiors that could rival an Eisner Award winning cover artist.The colors are bright and sensational, but don't push Gotham to Batman Forever extremes. It really feels like reading an episode of Batman: The Animated series. I couldn't help but hear Shirley Walker's classic theme in my head when I saw those zeppelins.
After flexing his writing muscles last month and delivering a nearly perfect issue, Scott Snyder slows down a bit this month to create more intrigue as we delve deeper into the Dark City portion of Zero Year. The Riddler may be the root of everyone's problems right now, but a lot of the antagonistic focus of the issue is placed on Dr. Death (not Steve WIlliams), a new face (for radio) in town. He kills his victims by injecting them with a serum that makes their bones grow wildly out of control. It looks painful to say the least. The interactions Bruce had with Alfred, Gordon, and Lucius Fox were extremely well executed. The one with Gordon seemed especially important and know that I didn't use the word "intrigue" lightly a moment ago. It seems that there was more to the night that the Waynes were murdered and Gordon knows something. There have been conspiratorial takes on the Wayne murders, most notably during the Silver Age and most recently in Batman:Earth One. However, I have the feeling Snyder will give us an entirely new perspective. You may also want to keep an eye on Pamela Isley as we march forward to Wild City, which will be the concluding third of Zero Year.
The backup story is pretty decent. It involves a younger Harper Row and her brother, showing how they coped with the blackout. I'm still wondering what her significance is and why we see her every so often. I thought she would be the new Robin, but then Carrie Kelly showed up. Time will tell. Andy Clarke also delivers some beautiful pencils and delivers one fierce looking Batman in his Zero Year costume. Mr. Clarke really should sell prints of it at conventions.
This issue may have a cover price of $4.99, but it's well worth it. After delivering a modern classic last month, Snyder rebounds with an issue that is just as good, but in a different way. More please.
Score: 9.5/10.
SUPERMAN/ WONDER WOMAN #2 by Charles Soule and Tony Daniel
WOW.
Charles Soule sure does have a pretty firm grasp on these characters. He delivers a book that is so fast paced, yet so satisfying. The issue opens with Wonder Woman locked in battle with Doomsday, whom you may remember stormed onto the scene at the end of the previous issue. He really brutalizes the Amazon Princess before Superman makes a splash of an entrance. In case you were wondering, it does indeed seem to be Doomsday's first appearance in The New 52. Superman knows who he is, but only from studying records of the beast and observing him in the Phantom Zone. You will also be hard pressed not to enjoy it when Superman meets Wonder Woman's family, so to speak. His encounters with Apollo and Strife are pure gold and worth the price of admission alone.
Leave it to Tony Daniel to deliver one of the best looking books on the market. It's hard to believe, but the guy always figures out a way to improve. Last month I said that issue 1 was the most impressive debut of any Superman book in The New 52. Now I will say that even though we are only two issues in, this has the potential to become one of the best books DC has to offer, period. I really can't wait to see where this goes.
As I said earlier, WOW.
Score: 9/10.
SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 #19 by Bryan Q. Miller and Jorge Jimenez
This issue concludes the Olympus arc. Hades' invasion is brought to an end in a way that feels somewhat anticlimactic, but will satisfy fans that were disappointed in Superman's handling of Zod at the end of Man of Steel. Yes, this is very much the Superman that always finds another way. I really did love Wonder Woman's depiction in this book. Miller captures all the intrinsic and iconic qualities of her, much like he did with Superman and Batman. And as cool as Jimenez makes Diana look in her Amazonian armor, she looks downright bad ass in her new DEO uniform at the end.
The end of the book gives us a confession that will definitely affect the geopolitical landscape of the Smallville universe as the series moves forward. You may have noticed in the teaser that I referred to this as the final issue, which is somewhat true. Next month begins the format change as Smallville becomes a series of mini-series. Smallville: Alien will endure a four issue run and after that will begin a new arc with its unique numbering and so on. The ending to this book most definitely leads into the next story regarding the "Alien" theme. This wasn't the perfect conclusion, but I'm staying on board to the very end.
Score: 7.5/10.