Action Comics #888 - DC

Last issue we saw that Vohc the Destroyer was going after Flamebird with his newest creation . . Rao. Yes, he has attempted to create a god. Thara is going after the false god, but . . it's just to much for her to handle alone. It's a good thing the JSA shows up. But even they are hard pressed to slow the god down. And to make matters even worse, Jax-Ur has directed this abomination towards the Pakistan / India border. If either side sees this as a threat they're going to start launching nukes at each other. Putting Thara and the rest of the JSA at ground zero. But there's also something going on that none of them had counted on. Jax-Ur has sent Chris to the Phantom Zone. But I thought it was destroyed? Maybe Vohc rebuilt it . . I don't know. Anyways, Chris is sent there and he comes across the Nightwing creature of myth. I'm not sure how he found it . . or if it's really there . . maybe this is all just a fever dream in Chris' head. Anyways, they come to an agreement and they join forces to help them both escape. Which brings Chris back into the real world. And this time . . he really is Nightwing . . both in spirit and body. I have a feeling things are about to get a lot more interesting. This story is by Greg Rucka, Eric Trautmann and Pere Perez. In the Captain Atom back-up, by James Robinson and Cafu . . the good Captain finally gets the upper hand on Mirabai. She comes after him with a hex, but . . apparently things don't work the same on him because of his science. Also, putting Mirabai down doesn't mean that he's out of trouble. In a world of magic and mysticism things aren't always what they seem. It appears that he's stepped out of one trap right into another. I enjoyed this issue. I thought it was interesting. Also, nice cover by Yildiray Cinar.

Batman - Legend of the Dark Knight #214 - DC

This is the last issue of this series. Which is a shame. But, I guess with Batman : Confidential out there, there really is no need for this one. This, and BC, are basically the same concept. They can pull stories out of anywhere in Batman's long history. Don't have to worry about continuity. It's . . . like . . . retroactive. Basically, they tell you where the story fits into the continuity. Cool concept. Anyways, this one is about Deadshot. The police have a stoolie on ice, ready to testify against a mob boss. But, when he finds out that there's a contract on him, and Deadshot is the shooter, well . . . he's thinking twice about it now. So Batman has to figure out a way to get Deadshot to drop the contract, in a way that it's his decision, and the rat knows about it. He pulls it off, but I wasn't sure until I saw it happen. Anyways, it's written by Cristos N. Gage, and drawn by Phil Winslade. The story is good, and the art is even better. Anymore it seems like the last issue of a series is worth almost as much as the first, because the lower the print run, and not as many people buy it. Just food for thought there. But it is a nice book, and you should pick it up if your in to the Batman. You won't be sorry.

Batman - Legend of the Dark Knight #213 - DC

This was an interesting book. First we have a nice cover by Walt Simonson. Then, with the story, they take an idea, and expound on it in it's next logical progression. We start out with the craze that the world has to have anything that may have come in contact with a famous person. I saw the other day where a cancelled rent check from Kevin Federline, went for about $800 on e-bay. That's insane. Well anyways, if we're in a universe that's filled with costumed vigilantes and heroes, wouldn't that be something of interest there? What would someone give for a discarded batarang, or a torn and discarded cowel, or any other number of things that may be left behind in the heat of the moment? And the next step would be to take that to a place where all the pop culture evolves around the trends in the states. And in this universe no one is bigger than the American heroes, or the JLA or JSA. So we move on to Japan. Batman becomes particularly embroiled in this case because in obtaining some items, someone was killed with one of his batarangs. We get filled in on some of the things that occur in Japanese pop culture, and twist it a little bit because of the different nature of the people that are watched under a microscope in this universe. And, we get some anime style villains. Steven Cummings does a nice job of giving the story an anime type style with his artwork. This was something that was truly different for Batman. But, it's ok to see him step out of his box sometimes. It was a nice change of pace.

Batman - Legend of the Dark Knight #212 - DC

This issue is actually about how the Batman, or rather his legend, can affect the people around him. Even people that he barely comes in contact with. A Gotham boy stumble across one of Batman's patrol routes. He goes to the same spot, day after day, to make sure he's not hallucinating it. He's kind of a social outcast at school, so he sees this information as a chance to impress a girl. Isn't that what it's always about? Anyways she's a Bat-fanatic. But she's never actually seen him. So, adding the 2 obvious parts together, he offers to take her someplace to see him. He's gets her up to the rooftop, but Batman never shows. At least not until after the gang of criminals do. Batman obviously takes out the gang, but when cornered one of them puts the girls life in danger. Seeing this the boy steps up to do something to save her life. Of course he has Batman's help, but still, he saves her. Add to that that as Batman leaves he turns around to shake the boys hand and thank him, and I think the relationship has been established. I know it was a fill in story. But, it was nice to see one of the stories on the peripheral. It was a nice feel good story too.

Batman Legends of the Dark Knight #211 - DC

This is the final chapter of the Bruce Jones / Ariel Olivetti saga. Once again, I just want to warn you, that the artwork in this book is astounding. This book, and the last couple, should truly be considered pieces of art. They are just flawless. The only downside, is that this is going to spoil you for every other book out there. Truly amazing. "Girl before I met you, I was F.I.N.E. . . fine". We start out where the last book left off, Bruce has gone to the dock for the ransom dropoff, only to find Janie Rutledge floating in the water. Bruce also finds that Lilith stole the money rather that drop it off. She was in on it from the start. Alfred has found out the Lilith was not Janie's sister but rather her mother. When they get a better look at the woman's body, they figure out that it's not Janie, but the Billingsworth's butler's daughter, who was pregnant and who was dating Billingsworth's son. After that it really gets convoluted. It's a twisted tale of deceit, greed and masterful manipulation. Batman of course tracks her down, and on a leisurely drive in Malibu, she discovers that Bruce has a deceitful streak of his own, there's not really a million dollars in the briefcase. She also has learned that Batman is Bruce Wayne. "Little tip, sweetheart: you can't fool a woman once kissed!" But as Batman tries to stop her, she crashes and dies. Pity! Bruce Jones has put together a nice little opus here, and as I said, Ariel Olivetti's artwork is fantastic. It's going to be hard to follow up this story arc. It'll be interesting to see which direction they go.

Batman Legends of the Dark Knight #210 - DC

Another masterpiece by Bruce Jones and Ariel Olivetti. I know that they're probably only on this book for this storyarc, but I really wish they would stick around longer. Unfortunately, that's not how this book is setup. I guess our best hope is that they'll show up on another book in the near future. Ok, there's 2 rich sisters, Janie and Lilith Rutledge. Bruce has become enamored with Lilith, while Janie was set to marry Conrad Billingsworth. But, before the wedding could take place, Janie was abducted. The abductors have been sending notes to Lilith demanding a ransom, and sending fingers from Janie with their messages. Now here's the twist, the Billingsworth's are broke. Conrad was marrying Janie because he thought he could get his hands on her inheritence. But, the Rutledge's are also broke. In the middle of this mix is Benny Bedlam, a wiseguy who seems to know everything that is going on, but isn't actually involved in any of it. He's just playing both sides against the middle. For what advantage we don't know yet. Bruce finally decides to pay the ransom, so he can find out what happened to Janie. Lilith takes the case out to the dock and drops it off. Batman watches from the shadows but no one shows to pick it up. When he goes down to investigate, he finds Janie's body floating in the water. Like I said, great story and fantastic art.

Batman - Legends of the Dark Knight #209 - DC

Ok, we're still in the storyline where Batman is following the trail of the young women that are being abducted across Gotham. There's a new on this issue, a friend of Alfred's whose daughter has also disappeared, Miriam Hargrove. However, he's still obsessed with Lilith Rutledge's sister Janie. Mainly, because they appear to be mutilating her piece by piece as the story goes along. But, also because as Bruce, he may be in love with Miriam. It's complicated, because he's feeling feelings he didn't know he had, or doesn't know how to deal with. What I like about this story so much though, is that it really showcases the relationship between Bruce and Alfred, and how much they truly depend and count on each other. Robin may be Batman's sidekick, but Alfred was always Batman's sidekick. I don't think he'd particularly like to be called that, but Batman's come to count on him as much or more than anybody else. I also like the twists and turns of these stories. They always seem to be headed in a certain direction, only to pull you in different ways along the path. And again, the artwork of this issue, by Arial Olivetti, is just phenomenal. It is truly outstanding. I think I like this book, better that I've liked Detective of late.

Batman Legends of the Dark Knight #208 - DC

First of all I think Bruce Jones puts together some fantastic story arcs. This one being no exception. Secondly Ariel Olivetti's artwork, on this issue and last, is just outstanding. I just can't say enough about this book. Batman, in some of his earlier years of detective work, I think, has fallen for a woman whose sister has been abducted. Not having the experience of years under his belt, he has become enamored with her and is kind of obsessed about solving the crime. Not that he isn't obsessed at other times, but more so now, and for the wrong reasons. In his quest he crosses paths with the Penguin, which is always hilarious, and some huge junkyard dog kinda' guy on the wharf. Don't have a name yet. But after getting trounced by him, probably because he underestimated his momentum due to his size, he gets lucky and sends him into the water. Last issue ended with a finger getting sent to the sister, and this issue ends with a finger being left in Batman's path. A coincidence? I doubt it. As Batman says while he's following the trail, "It's to easy. Too much of a straight line". So somebody is getting setup. Whether it's Batman or the girl, we don't know yet. But with this story and this art, I'll definitely be back next issue to find out.

Legends of the Dark Knight #207 - DC

I've already said how much I really like this series. I like the format. I like the style. I love the characters. This issue begins a new story arc. 4 issues I presume. It's written by Bruce Jones, who can craft stories like it's no ones business. And the art chores are by Ariel Olivetti. Ariel has been on the scene for a little while now, and he's been a person to watch right from the beginning. With this issue however, he's gone to the painted style artwork, and he's just been elevated, in my book anyways, to an Alex Ross or Adam Hughes status. The artwork in this book is just outstanding. You will love the look of this book. This story in particular is about Bruce Wayne doing one of his civil duties, not because he wants to, because he doesn't, but because it is expected of his status and social standing. During the course of this the man, whom he's helping, has a daughter that comes up missing. He also has another daughter, who is a bit of a social rebel, and with whom Bruce ends of sleeping with. He is then drawn back into the search for the other daughter as Batman. During the course of this search, he comes to realize that his activies are being influenced by emotion rather than the cold calculation that he's used to. The way this series is set up, I believe that, each storyarc is a learning or turning point in the development of Bruce's role into the Batman. This emotion that he's dealing with is what I believe is the antagonist that he has to learn to overcome. Even though you know what the eventual outcome of most of these stories are, it's still fun to watch how he gets there. Plus there's usually enough twists to keep in fresh and keep the reader interested. With Bruce Jones and Ariel on the job, this arc should definitely be worth the price of admission.

Batman Legends of the Dark Knight # 206 - DC

There's a couple of things I like about this book. First I like the 3 or 4 issue story arc. I like longer stories too, but, for the most part, the 8 to 12 issue "Maxi-Series" always end up with a couple of issue in the middle that are really boring. It's like, they start fast and furious into the story, give you a couple issues of either backfill or character development, then give you a couple more exciting issues as they race to the finish. Overall, when you look back, it may have been a great story, but there's always a couple of issues in the middle you could do without. But, the 3 or 4 issue story has to assume that you at least have a passing familiarity with the characters. Which is one of the main reason I feel X2 was so much better that the X-Men. But, that's a discussion best left for later. The other thing I like about this book, is that it follows no set chronology. When you start on a new story in this book, it could be at anytime during Batman's existence. Which is cool, because as long as Batman's been around, and as much as we know about him, there's got to be lots of stories that we don't know, or haven't heard yet. And as a concept for how this series is set up and envisioned, that is awesome. Now this particular story, "the Madmen of Gotham" is neat in that it's going back in to Thomas Wayne's life, Bruce's father, and some of the affect his influence or decisions had on Gotham. He was a member of a group called, you guessed it, "the Madmen of Gotham". They had a plan to keep Gotham safe and crime free by putting chemicals into the drinking supplies and creating a more submissive and more easily manipulated populace. As with most altruistic visions such as these, someone comes along and thinks they have a better use of the tool, and usually one that will feed into their own personal gain rather than that of the general populace. After all, why should you distribute the wealth, when it can be so much more satisfing and enjoyed by a select few. Hmm. Reminds me of some people in our government. Anyways, Batman has to figure out what this old original plan was, how it's being manipulated and used to create the problem that's happening today, and what he's going to do about it. Justin Gray delivers a good story, and Steven Cummings' art is developing a unique style and feel of it's own. Overall this is a good story arc. Now that's not to say there haven't been some dogs in this series. But, theoretically, if there is a dog you could skip those 3 or 4 issues, then decide if you want to come back on the next story arc. Theoetically. Have I done that? No. I have every issue. But that's me. I've talked about my obsession before. Another thing I like about this series is that you see support characters in roles, sometimes, that you're not used to seeing them in. This one in paticular has Alfred using some of his knowledge to help Batman with some of the legwork in trying to find an antidote to this psychotropic drug. And finally, with the 3 or 4 issue story arc, there is a definite conclusion. That's not to say that I don't like storylines that leave things left up in the air, after all that's what this form of story telling is all about. But, should some aspect of this story pop up in a later adventure, you have a definitive place to go to reevaluate the details. Plus it's actually kind of a "History of the Dark Knight". But, that's not as catchy of a title.