ARC REVIEW DC Universe Rebirth: Batwoman vol 1 The Many Arms of Death

Batwoman

The Many Arms of Death

vol 1

issues 1-6

DC Universe Rebirth

Story by: Marguerite Bennett, James Tynion IV,

Art: Steve Epting, Stephanie Hans, Renato Arlem, Jeromy Cox (colorist), Adriano Lucas (colorist)

Story: Katherine Kane's life wasn't an easy one, the traumatic events when she was a child spiraled her life onto a difficult path. She was kicked out of West Point for being gay and then became a socialite drunk. It all changed though when she was saved by Batman. She went back to her training and then donned the cape and cowl as Batwoman. There is one year of Kate's life she doesn't talk about that's about to change when her past finally catches up with her. The Many Arms of Death is an extremist group bend on genocide. They want to cleanse the world and have no problem using any means possible. Kate has to track them down and stop them before they kill millions, and she's not like Batman she's willing to use anything she can to stop them.

Art: The art is spectacular. It's definitely one of my favorites. Steve Epting worked The Many Arms of Death 1-4, wonderful detail and combined with Jeromy Cox's coloring it brought the story to life. Stephanie Hans did Blinding with much softer lines and was a little hazier which added to the flashback feel of the story and the result was very pretty. The futuristic story of Pax Batmana was done by Renato Arlem and colors by Adriano Lucas, it has a great futuristic dystopian type vibe to it and fit in great with the story. The fantastic cover for that one was done by Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira colored by Adriano Lucas. I am always intrigued by the variant covers.

Review: I'm not very familiar with Batwoman's story, I think the only thing really I know is the animated movie with the three different women as Batwoman. That being said I loved this. Marguerite Bennett together with James Tynion, it's a complicated and in depth story but easy to follow. The truncated version of her past letting you know the basics and then slowly showing you what happened in that missing year followed by a more in depth story, Blinding, and the foreshadowing with Pax Batmana really nice touch, just a little extra tug to make sure they hooked you into the story. 

I liked that Kate is willing to push the limits, and with her own Pennyworth there to remind her not to cross them keeps Kate from fully going over the deep end, and act as Bruce's spy. Overall, I don't think I disliked a single thing in this volume, I'm hooked and can't wait for more.  

 

ARC REVIEW DC Universe Rebirth Justice League of America vol 1: the Extremist

Justice League of America

DC Universe Rebirth

Vol. 1 The Extremist

Issues 1-6

By Steve Orlando

Art:  Joe Prado, Ivan Reis, Various, Felipe Watanabe

Story: Now that Superman and Batman have redeemed Killer Frost they need someplace to put her and Batman has just the place. With the Justice League full of Aliens Batman feels that the people need a group of superheroes that aren’t aliens, so he got together Vixen, Black Canary, The Ray, Atom (but not Ray Palmer) Frost who has dropped Killer from her name, and Lobo. (Wait Lobo I thought this was supposed to be humans, whatever.) Finding out how they work together is trial by fire when a multiverse group of powerful beings tries to take over the world to save us from ourselves, by any means necessary. That includes killing anyone who objects to them. JLA decides the best course of action is to rally the people and defeat the Extremist together.

Art: The art was nice it had one awesome two page spread. I love how Frost and Vixen were drawn, and even though I don’t like Lobo he was drawn pretty well.

Review: After first reading it I really liked it but going back to it now I find it a little lacking Justice League vs. Suicide Squad was massive and non-stop and unfortunately JLA did get dry in some spots. I liked the characters (except Lobo) and I like them working together; this was a great idea but finished product it just okay.      

ARC REVIEW DC Universe Rebirth Batman Beyond vol. 1 Escaping the Grave

Batman Beyond vol. 1 Escaping  The Grave

DC Universe Rebirth
Issues: Rebirth and 1-5

By: Dan Jurgens

Art by: Bernard Chang (Artist), Marcelo Maiolo (Colourist), Travis Lanham (Letterer)

Story: Terry McGinnis is back from his own death, or faked death in this case, only to find that part of the city has been overrun by Jokerz, a gang of Joker wannabes who are shaking down the citizens for “protection” money, and rumors that The Joker is alive. To make matters worse the love of his life, Dana Tan who at this point doesn’t even know Terry is still alive has been kidnapped by the mad man behind the Jokerz. Terry is out of practice and the first couple confrontations with the gang end poorly but with the help of Terry’s younger brother Matt, and his best friend Max, Terry just maybe able to pull off a rescue and unravel the Jokerz from the inside out.

Art:  It’s pretty much how I expected it to be dark, futuristic, with accents of neon colors making it look very cyber punk-ish.  The detail work put into is great, the cityscape background was pretty impressive. The second cowl that he donned I didn’t care much for the eye holes were just shaped weird.

Characters: Terry McGinnis/Batman: is the young man that will pick up the mantle of Batman in the future. Bruce Wayne recruited him and trained him to take over. Matt McGinnis: is the younger brother to Terry who has custody of him. He idolizes his big brother and will do anything to help him. Max Gibson: Is the tech guru for the series her friendship with Terry goes way back she is irreplaceable (and in the animated series she was voiced by one of my favorites Cree Summer). Dana Tan: the love interest she was a high school sweethearts and until recently didn’t know Terry was Batman. Jokerz: the crazy money hungry gang who idolizes The Joker. Carter Wilson/Terminal: Former classmate and kind of a bully grows up to be a hopeful supervillain. Commissioner Barbara Gordon, Bruce Wayne, The Joker.

Review: I remember when Batman Beyond first aired on t.v. I loved the concept of it, and then to have it continue after the series ended with the comics was so much better. I love the progression of the story and how Terry just didn’t jump right back in and be all badass, he was out of shape, kind of, and he admitted it and worked around the issue. I also enjoyed how evenly paced the story was with the action and equal amount of intrigue. I always thought Terry was a great replacement for Bruce. Matt is a good comic relief. 

ARC REVIEW DC Universe Rebirth Teen Titans vol 1: Damian Knows Best

Teen Titans vol. 1: Damian Knows Best

DC Universe Rebirth

Issues #1-5 and Rebirth

Story by Benjamin Percy

Art by: Khoi Pham, Jonboy Meyers, Diogenes Neves

Story: With the death (wink wink) of Tim Drake the Teen Titans pretty much disbanded, they each went their separate ways. One by one Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy, and the new Kid Flash are all taken but it’s not by some nefarious mastermind…ok well they are but Damian ultimately had a good purpose for it. Damian Wayne wants the Teen Titans to get back together again with him in charge. As Robin, Damian is ready to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors he’s thirteen now and ready to prove to his father that he can do this. Damian’s Grandfather, Ra’s al Ghul, has plans of his own and unless Robin can convince the other Titans to work together again with him they are doomed.

Art: This probably has some of my favorite art in it, Jonboy Meyers working both story and illustrations did a fantastic job at both. Khoi Pham, Diogenes Neves and all the colorist… everyone, I loved it. The art was clear, detailed, the coloring was bold. I had to go back and just look at the art without reading the story.

Characters: Damian Wayne/ Robin, Beast Boy, Starfire, Raven, Kid Flash, Ra’s al Ghul, League of Assassins, The Demon’s Fist, Alfred and Batman.

Review: Damian Wayne, that’s the little shit I know and love. Damian tracks down, stalks, and masterminds the kidnapping of the new Kid Flash, Starfire, Raven, and Beast Boy all to prove they need him. Didn’t even occur to him that they might find it offensive and not too keen on working with someone who basically insulted each and every one of them and then asked for a favor. You really see the dual sided nature that Damian is struggling with, being trained by Ra’s but trying to live up the standards of Batman and prove that he is up to the task that is being the leader of the Teen Titans. As they fight the Demon Fist, the villainous teen group that Ra’s created for the League of Assassins, the Titans learn that Damian is more like his father then they all thought. And seriously Starfire is STILL a teenager?  

     

ARC REVIEW DC Universe Rebirth Trinity vol 1 Better Together

Trinity: Vol 1 Better Together
Issues 1-6
DC Universe Rebirth

Story by: Francis Manapul,

Art by: Francis Manapul, Clay Mann, Emanuela Lupacchino, Ray McCarthy, Matt Santorelli, Hi-Fi

 Story: In an act of friendship and as a chance to get to know the new Superman, Lois Lane invites Diana Prince and Bruce Wayne to the farm house for dinner. It goes fine aside from little Jon accidentally burning a hole through the door and almost burns a hole through Bruce and Diana. But after dinner something funny happens. They get tangled up in a suspicious vine that transports them into their dreams where they must relive pivotal life changing events from their lives. Poison Ivy orchestrated it but the real menace behind it all is not who they think. Now Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman need to trust each other enough to get out alive all the while Lois and Jon are in the real world dealing with Poison Ivy.

 Art: Beautiful. Francis Manapul did the art for the part 1, 2, and 5. Emanuela Lupacchino does the penciling for 4 and 6 with Ray McCarthy and Matt Santorelli and HI-FI as the inkers and colorist. Part Three is done by Clay and Seth Mann with Seth Anderson as the colorist. They all did a fantastic job. I am always picky on Poison Ivy and how she is drawn and I love how she’s drawn in this. I’m warming up on the neon colors, not much but I’m getting used to it.

Characters: Diana Prince/ Wonder Woman, Bruce Wayne/ Batman, Clark Kent/ Superman, Lois Lane, Jon Kent, Poison Ivy, and various characters from each of the characters pasts.

Review: I had no idea what happened before this with Superman and was a little lost but that is what Google is for I looked it up and found a great spoiler from back in March, (What the Hell did Superman just do to the DC Comics) that explained it to me. With this new information so much more makes sense! The story in this was very engaging I couldn't put it down, that's why I wait for the volumes to come out. Each of the characters had to face something from their past that helped shape who they are and face other issues that came from the guilt of their past. Clark gets to talk to his father again, Diana meets a younger version of herself and Bruce has to relive his parents death and the trauma afterwards. But in each situation the character takes away an important lesson from it. Unfortunately they weren't the only ones learning the vulnerabilities of the trio. It was a great story and showed so much character development.         

ARC REVIEW DC Universe Rebirth All Star Batman Vol 1 My Own Worst Emeny

All Star Batman

Vol 1 My Own Worst Enemy

Issues #1-5.

Written by: Scott Snyder

Art by: Danny Miki, John Romita, Jr., Declan Shalvey

Cover by: John Romita, Jr., Declan Shalvey, Danny Miki

Variant cover by: John Romita, Jr., Jock, Declan Shalvey, Danny Miki

Story:

Scott Snyder returns to write more awesome Batman. The whole journey is back and forth between the past friends that Harvey Dent and Bruce Wayne use to be and the now. Two –Face has put a hit on Batman as he tries to return his old friend to his old self again. Harvey sent Batman a message that he found a way to eliminate his split personality but he hid it in a place Two –Face will never know about. THe hit brings out all kinds from the woodwork. Penguin, Black Mask and Great White hire an Assassin to kill Batman and Two-Face. Along the way Batman is faced with a multitude of foes and civilians. 

Art:

The art was impressive, the details and the somewhat muted tones mixed with the bright primary colors. It kind of reminded me of an old style of story book illustrations. I really liked the way Two-Face was drawn.  

Characters:

Batman/ Bruce Wayne: of course, his usual brooding, loyal, overprotective self. Protecting his ward, loyal to an old friend and brooding over the past that he can't change. Determined to do the right thing to fix the unfixable no matter the obstacles. 

Duke: the new not Robin. As of now Duke may be in what looks like a Robin costume but Batman told Gordon they were trying something new. I like Duke so far. He differs from the majority of the rest of the sidekicks as his parents are still alive (like Tim Drake) but Duke has a vendetta against the Joker and he wants justice to always prevail, and not just like Batman but mostly because his mother.  

Two-Face/Harvey Dent: Two-Face knows the right way to manipulate Bruce Wayne.

Other cameos: Amygdala, Killer Croc, King Shark, Firefly, Killer Moth, Black Spider, Copperhead, Cheshire, The Royal Flush Gang, Gotham’s Lords of Organized Crime, Harold Allnut, The Court of Owls, The Beast.

Review:  I really liked this one. I've never been a big Two-Face fan but this one was pretty good. The manipulation level was really up there and bringing in all these other villains honestly I didn't even know two of them even existed. The story kept me hooked to the end all very exciting I couldn't put it down, and the last one with a bit of the back story with Duke was nice to have.  

   

ARC REVIEW DC Universe Rebirth Batgirl and the Birds of Prey vol 1 Who is Oracle

Batgirl and the Birds of Prey vol 1 Who is “Oracle” 

By Shawna and Julie Benson
Art by: Claire Roe, Roge Antonio, Yanick Paquette
Variant art: Kamome Shirahama

 

Story: Barbara Gordon is enjoying life with the use of her legs again catching bad guys but one night she catches one group and after opening his phone she discovers an email from “Oracle” selling information from her own Oracle top secret files. Wanting to get down to the bottom of this she tracks down Dinah, who has been in a rock band, to help find this new Oracle. Following the trail of the gangsters who have been getting information they run into Huntress whose mission is running parallel with theirs. Reluctantly Huntress joins forces with Batgirl and Black Canary. 

Art: I’m torn, I didn’t care much for Claire Roe’s issues the art seemed very sketchy and dark the contrast between the black shading seemed overpowering over the color. The ones with Roge Antonio were much more balanced the color and shading with cleaner lines. I just preferred the latter half of the volume to the beginning half. I really loved the anime style variant art by Kamome Shirahama.

Characters

Oracle/Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) I love Batgirl, she is an amazing fighter, she has incredible skills on the computer and with any tech and she remembers everything. In this one she is coming to terms with who she is; having three identities is wearing on her especially since someone has stolen the Oracle identity and using for evil. Having her friend Dinah around is not only helping her solve the mystery but helping her sort things out. With guest appearances by her father and Batman. 

Black Canary (Dinah Lance) With the dissolution of the Birds of Prey Dinah went on her own, happy in her way, and in need of very little convincing to help Barb. You see the wild side of Dinah but throughout you also see how loyal she is to her friends. 

Huntress (Helena Bertinelli) The reintroduction of Huntress picks up while she is closing in on her revenge. Crossing paths with Batgirl and Black Canary who are at first just getting in her way but they need the gang members alive in figure out who “Oracle” is and to try and track this person down. Huntress agrees to a temporary truce to work with them. I like this incarnation of Helena better than the Batman/Catwoman love child. 

Review: This was a great story! I loved it. It’s one I would have no problem reading over and over again. I really liked how it was divided into main sections each from the POV of the characters. It really is a great starting point for new readers.