ARC REVIEW DC Universe Rebirth Batman/Catwoman: The Wedding Album - The Deluxe Edition

Batman/Catwoman
The Wedding Album
The Deluxe Edition

by; Tom King

issues #24, 44 & 50

Story/Art: I think the story is pretty self-explanatory, they are getting married each is writing a letter to the other the artwork as you read the letters alternating between the two was fantastic. It's their history from their very first meeting artwork recreated by Mikel Janín and all the other times they met showcasing the artwork from a variety of artist throughout the years; like Frank Miller, Amanda Conner, Tim Sale, Rafael Albuquerque, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, David Finch, Jose Villarrubia, Alex Sinclair, Hi-Fi, Clay Mann, Joёlle Jones and a whole bunch more.

Review: Bittersweet. I have always loved the idea of Batman and Catwoman together (blame Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer). But I always knew no matter how much they said they love each other they could never be happy together. The Catwoman ending of Injustice had it right, they can play act at the happily ever after but ultimately Selena would get bored. She may act altruistic at times because she's not evil at heart but she's still a villain; she can never truly be a hero inside this timeline. BUT then again I prefer the Batman and Talia ill-fated love story, when it was actually a love story before someone went and screwed that up, so what do I know. Overall, I really enjoyed this the love letters and the combination of all the different artwork. For being as short as it is it is mainly visual.

ARC REVIEW DC Universe Rebirth Batman vol 4 The War of Jokes and Riddles

Batman

vol 4 The War of Jokes and Riddles

DC Universe Rebirth

issues 25-32

story by: Tom King

art by: Mikel Janin, Clay Mann, June Chung (colorist) 

Story: A year after Batman took up the cape and cowl a war hit Gotham between Joker and Riddler. In this volume he tells Selina his side and everything he learned by talking to as many of the participants involved as possible. He still feels guilt over what he had to do and has to tell someone. The Joker has lost the ability to laugh, nothing's funny anymore and he blames Batman for ruining his joke. The Riddler breaks out of prison so he can solve the one riddle he has yet to solve, Batman. Riddler originally goes to Joker so they can band together to kill the Bat, but Joker instead shoots him in the gut. Joker and Riddler gather up all the other villains and divide Gotham, showing no mercy to anyone who gets in the way. Deadshot and Deathstroke go at it shot to shot, head to head until then Batman and Gordon have been dealing with it the best way the could but that was the straw that broke the camel's back. Batman figured the only way to stop it was to pick a side, but whose side to pick????

Art: Mikel Janin did the main story line with June Chung as the Colorist. The Ballad of Kite Man done by Clay Mann and Jordie Bellaire (colorist) and Gabe Eltaeb (colorist).  For the most part I'm easy to please when it come to the art I think the only thing that really bugged me was how Riddler was drawn. I guess I'm just so use to the lean almost scrawny cerebral kind of guy instead of this Irish bruiser-ish type guy with his shirt all open. But Riddler has evolved quite a bit since Frank Gorshin played him, I'll get over it. Back to the art this has some pretty impressive and detailed two page spreads, I always like those. Overall it was very pleasing on the eyes and added so much to the story.     

Review: Overall, this was a fantastic read, it was a great story even if it did feel a little truncated it just gave you the details you needed to know. It was awesome to see Deathstroke and Deadshot fight it out. (Although I think Deathstroke would win.) I liked the interludes with Kite Man with his story and how he plays a major part in the story. For missing the first three volumes this one was real easy to pick up and read without having read the previous issues and normally I wouldn't have grabbed this one not having read the previous one but how could I turn down Joker vs. Riddler?! 

ARC REVIEW DC Universe Rebirth: Batman/The Flash The Button Deluxe Edition

Batman/The Flash

The Button Deluxe Edition

DC Universe Rebirth

Issues: Batman 21-22 The Flash 21-22

Story: Tom King and Joshua Williamson
Art: Howard Porter and Jason Fabok

Story: Batman finds a strange blood stained smiley face button in the batcave. All of his analysis leads him to believe that it's not from this dimension. When a strange spark causes him to see his father he knows only one person can help The Flash. But an instant later the impossible happens The Reverse Flash appears beats up Batman, then when he discovers the button a split second later he dies. Flash arrives to find a beaten up Batman next to the charred corpse of The Reverse Flash. After Batman fills Barry in on what happened Barry wonders if the Flashpoint timeline didn't disappear like it was supposed to and together they decide it's worth a try. Batman and The Flash "travel" to the Flashpoint universe where Bruce Wayne comes face to face with his father. awwwwww. But Batman and Flash need to keep going to get to the bottom of this and find out who is responsible.

Art: Jason Fabok does the pencils and inks for pt.1 and 3 with Brad Anderson on colors and all four covers. Howard Porter's art on pt. 2 and 4 with Hi-Fi on colors. I liked the art in a whole you can definitely see the differences between the two when they are next to each other but side by side with almost the same image and you can see it. Overall I think I prefer Jason Fabok I just like his lines better, but all in all I loved the all the art.

 

Review: I know there are a lot of mixed reviews but I enjoyed this one. I liked the touch on Flashpoint and even bring in Garrett for the short amount of time that he was there. I hope Reverse Flash stays dead this time. I really do like that it appears to be DC's solution to fixing things, going back to before the Flashpoint paradox screw up and going more traditional. I am enjoying Rebirth and this tease for what's to come was great because now I'm on pins and needles waiting for what's next. As the crossover that leads up to the big event and as the tagline says the road to the Doomsday Clock starts here.