DETECTIVE COMICS #951 - League of Shadows Pt. 1

DETECTIVE COMICS #951 - League of Shadows Pt. 1

Published February 22, 2017 by DC Comics. Written by James Tynion IV and illustrated by Christian Duce.

The Colony has sought out Lady Shiva only to find misery and death. League of Shadows begins now in issue #951. Lady Shiva thinking the Colony is a way into Gotham soon learns the Colony has been outcast from Gotham with Batman capturing the Colonel. Shiva quickly loses interest in using the Colony and just as fast disposes of her captive.

Training in the mud room proves both creative and entertaining. Kung Fu fighting Penguins makes for a fun and entertaining training session for Orphan. While Batwoman facetiously questions the reality of the mud room scenario. And after training a night out to the ballet is planned for Cassandra.

Batman decides to visit his new ally Mayor Hady. But the Mayor’s place seems in disarray and once Batman finds the mayor it isn’t a pleasant sight. And as quickly as Batman learns the attacker’s identity the police arrive and misread the scene thinking Batman was the attacker.

Questioning the Colonel about the attackers leads Batman and Batwoman down a rabbit hole or is it? The Colonel and Batman continue to clash in ideologies while Kate is shaken by his revelations regarding the new threat.

On the five O’ Clock news it’s all sunny, happy smiles but with a deadly twist. And Adams Square is full of laughing, violent jokers. But the laughs soon stop and the look in the crowd’s eyes becomes more sinister as Batman and the group seek to subdue the crowd.

The new story arc and the continuing one of the Colony is making this another great story to follow. What is Lady Shiva’s game? And was the poisoned crowd another diversion from the real villain? Maybe there’s some truth to the Colonel’s belief about the existence of the League of Shadows…

DETECTIVE COMICS #950 - League of Shadows, Prologue

DETECTIVE COMICS #950 - League of Shadows, Prologue

Published February 8, 2017 by DC Comics. Written by James Tynion IV and illustrated by Various artist

Ghosts. Are they real? What defines a ‘ghost’? Cassandra Cain feels ghosts. Ghost of the past. Ghosts of a life she wishes she had. To dance is her passion. But her circumstances keep it from being a reality.

She can’t explain the ghosts to her friends and she tries to avoid explaining them. Unfortunately some of the ghosts are not very pleasant. The violence she witnessed as a child and the wicked hopes her father had for her haunt her and cause her discomfort of the soul.

Mayor Hady has a change of heart about life after his heart nearly gave up on him. To make a better world he seeks out Gordon and our cowled hero for help. He offers Batman a hand in helping Gotham. A new beginning.

Orphan dreams of the ballet and dancing freely but those dreams quickly turn to the violent dans macrbe her life is. Instead of peaceful leaps and landings she performs fighting moves to subdue assailants. Her art has become disarming guns and knives and not graceful dance moves. This life has put her in turmoil and it takes all she has to keep score as to who is friend and foe. The violence and fighting are causing her to blur the lines of sanity and without hesitation she begins to see how to best defeat everyone even her closest allies.

Karlo Basil only wants his old self and life back but a new invention by Batwing may eliminate the need for a bulking device to return his DNA to normal he has physical consequences for the change. The longer he uses this new invention the more susceptible he is to causing himself more damage.

Orphan looks up to Batwoman and would like to learn as much as she can but she can’t communicate this very easily and must remain in the shadows. But she darts away and dances. She loses herself in the dance and the loneliness only to confide in herself she wants more. But has someone else heard her silent plea?

Jean-Paul Valley is called by a higher power. His heart seeks to overcome war and violence with the law of peace and love. His training partner marvels at his ability to stay focused in the heat of battle. Batwing would like the divine inspiration that drives Azrael in battle. Valley enlightens Batwing on things bigger than himself. Things that drive and shape the universe.  These things humble Jean Paul and focus his mind and heart to one good.

Before Tim’s supposed death he and Batman had a lengthly discussion on the change in Batman. Tim noticed a shift and a preparation being made for what Tim thought was war. He questioned the reasoning behind this preparation and pledged his loyalty to whatever end it all meant.

Detective #950 is obviously a set up for a larger story coming to the Bat-books. The many sub-plots coming should be good. I suspect Lady Shiva will test Orphan and her loyalties but the big picture I’m holding out for is this “war” that Tim mentions at the end. And after the events of Detective #949 I’m left guessing that Monster Venom is going to be the McGuffin everyone’s after. Dram-ah is coming…   

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DETECTIVE COMICS #949 - Batwoman Begins Pt. 2

DETECTIVE COMICS #949 - Batwoman Begins Pt. 2

Published January 17, 2017 by DC Comics. Written by James Tynion IV and Marguerite Bennett  illustrated by Ben Oliver.

Beginning in the conclusion to Batwoman Begins Kate and her father are seen discussing footage of Batman in action. Kate is intrigued by his fighting style and the many forms apparent in it. She is not alone as the man himself arrives out of the shadows and begins a confrontation in which Kate draws a gun on the Caped Crusader only to have her 2^nd Amendment rights revoked ala weapon disassembly.

Meanwhile at the Colony the Colonel and one of his soldiers debate whether Kate has the heart and discipline for the Colony.

Back in the present Batman squares off against the Colony’s thief who stole the Monster Venom and has overridden the Belfry to target the Dark Knight. Then Batwoman joins the melee and exposes Simon as the Colony agent. The arrogance and insecurities he has about Kate and her abilities only add to the humiliation she puts him through.

As Simon continues his quest to free Colonel Kane he has yet another confrontation with Batman or is it? Simon thinking he is about to free the Colonel is confronted yet again by the fearless Batwoman.  Batwoman unrelenting bests Simon once more only this time she reveals what’s really going on and how he has fallen prey to a cleverly designed trap. But in a last ditch effort to escape Batman and Batwoman Simon injects himself with the Monster Venom for a very dramatic escape.

After the escape of Simon Batwoman recalls a time in the past when she first realized that Batman was her cousin Bruce Wayne and she then fully understood what drove the World’s Greatest Detective. Her father feared that getting too close to his mission would destroy her but she didn’t share that fear.

Back at the Colonel’s cell Kate and her father discuss the changing world and what the impact Monster Venom will have on a coming war. He agrees to let her in on the many organizations that are seeking new bioweapons for this coming conflict.

I’m really starting to become a fan of Batwoman. First I like her edgy attitude and drive. The costume is great and in these last two issues I’ve really enjoyed Ben Oliver’s art. I’m further interested in these new organizations and this coming war they are preparing to fight. Could “The Many Arms of Death” be one on the way? 

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DETECTIVE COMICS #948 - Batwoman Begins Pt. 1

DETECTIVE COMICS #948 - Batwoman Begins Pt. 1

Published January 11, 2017 by DC Comics. Written by James Tynion IV and Marguerite Bennett with art by Ben Oliver.

Who is Kate Kane? Why is she following in her cousin’s footsteps as a vigilante protecting Gotham? Starting off is a flashback sequence to sometime a couple of years ago her and her father, Colonel Kane, were training with a new gadget. Her version of the grapple gun used by Batman.

While testing this new toy she and her father are also shadowing the cowled sleuth through Gotham. However, he eventually catches her following and is able to evade. Later Kate and her dad recount the events and her frustration with Batman’s ability to escape her watchful eye.

Fastward to the present and Kate is now visiting her father in the prison cell at the Belfry. But duty calls and she leaves her father to begin a new case.

At the Argus excavation site where the remains of the beast they battled in the Night of the Monster Men they are attacked by a strange humanoid creature. The monster’s attack is stopped by Dr. Victoria October the lead scientist studying these strange phenomenon at what she terms, “Monster Town”. Apparently what is to blame for the strange mutation of the creature is Dr. Strange’s Monster Venom. This is some new form of bioweaponry highly sought after on the blackmarket. During a break-in at the Argus evacuation site someone stole a large amount of the Venom and that someone was with the Colony.

At the Belfry the Colonel is being paid a visit by the Argus thief from the Colony. And is there to extract the Colonel. However, the Colonel isn’t too keen on leaving his cell. But Batman and Batwoman arrive to ensure the Colonel stays put.

In this story arc DC is starting to give a little more depth to Kate Kane and her Batwoman persona. This story arc also takes the Monster Venom angle in a new direction with the Colony after this weapon. One question arises from this issue is why is Colonel Kane reluctant to rejoin the Colony? 

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DETECTIVE COMICS #947 – The Victim Syndicate Pt. 5

DETECTIVE COMICS #947 – The Victim Syndicate Pt. 5

Published December 14, 2016 by DC Comics. Written by James Tynion IV and illustrated by Alvaro Martinez and Raul Fernandez.

In the dramatic conclusion to The Victim Syndicate and catty exchange with Batwoman. Spoiler and Batman have a clash in ideologies. Stephanie sees the world differently and how best to help it and her friends than Batman’s approach. She cast doubt on the good Batman does and identifies with the Syndicate to a point. Once they cross the line into hurting other she feels they are wrong. In a moment of regret and remorse the Caped Crusader apologizes to the Syndicate and offers to help them cope with their bitterness and anger from their own losses.

But is it enough for Spoiler? She threatens Batman with exposure if he doesn’t quit the crime fighting and dis-ban is new group. She recounts every member’s possibilities outside Batman’s influence in their lives and how they might be different. But is her vision necessarily better?

Spoiler still distraught and unchanged in her thinking flees as Batman and the group prepare to turn the Syndicate into Arkham.

Later at Arkham Clayface tries to comfort Glory and offer’s her a hand in friendship. While Batman and Batwoman remain puzzled about the identity of First Victim.

Spoiler still grieving over Tim vandalizes the Batsignal and Batman and Batwoman reconcile their feelings and thoughts on the troubled Stephanie.

In an epilogue Tim is seen working up a way to escape the confinement he’s in but once he’s free he discovers his captor to be the unexpected.

The great thing about this story arc is there’s plenty of directions to go in. The continuing saga of Red Robin and what’s really going on is intriguing and should keep audiences captivated.

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DETECTIVE COMICS #946 – The Victim Syndicate Pt. 4

DETECTIVE COMICS #946 – The Victim Syndicate Pt. 4

Published December 14, 2016 by DC Comics. Written by James Tynion IV and illustrated by Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira.

In a flashback sequence Tim and Bruce discuss the big picture in regards to the new team he’s putting together and what the Dark Knight has planned for the future of Gotham and his role in defending the city. Tim offered his un-wavering support for whatever Batman has planned.

In the present Batman arrives at the Thompkins Free Clinic to assist Azrael with dealing with the Victim Syndicate who have decided to try and draw Batman into a confrontation.

Still grappling with the supposed loss of Tim Stephanie tries to find solace in a hologram of Red Robin created by Tim. However, at the moment of truth she is drawn back to reality that this is not the real Tim and still needs closure from his loss.

The other members of the team confront the Victim Syndicate one on one with Clayface dealing with Glory and bringing her back to her normal self while Batwoman confronts Madame Crow but Mr. Noxious arrives and adds to her troubles. Batwing’s nano-tech defeats Noxious and his assault on Kate as Kate is gracious for the assist from Batwing.

As Harper is assisting an elderly woman to safety Mute makes an entrance only to be brought to his knees by Orphan playing his wife’s last message to him before she was killed by the Joker.

And in a prelude to the conclusion of the Victim Syndicates reign of terror on the Thompkins Clinic First Victim is still trying to draw the Dark Knight into causing him pain in sick, sadistic plot to try and attack Batman through his noble sense of justice. But before the action is over Spoiler arrives and sets the stage for the finale to the Victim Syndicate.

There’s a lot of group dynamics going on in this storyline by Tynion. I like the Victim Syndicate and this angle they have trying to attack Batman through his sense of justice and all around good he feels he is doing. However, each has a grief that they blame him for. The ending to this issue also portrays Spoiler as a victim of Batman and his crusade. There’s definitely an analogy at work with her loss of Tim and how she’s been blaming Batman for it. Maybe she is a metaphor for the “Last Victim”?

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DETECTIVE COMICS #945 – The Victim Syndicate Pt. 3

Detective Comics #945 – The Victim Syndicate Pt. 3

Published November 23, 2016 by DC Comics. Written by James Tynion IV and illustrated by Various artists

Beginning in the third part to “The Victim Sydicate”, Harper has notified Batman of the visit by Victim One with Stephanie. Yet Spoiler is not too cooperative with the Dark Knight and seems to be siding with the Sydicate’s view of Batman. This leads Batman to allow Dr. Thompkins to evaluate the group while he and Alfred try to piece the past together that will lead to the identity of the leader of the Victim Sydicate.

Back at the Belfry Batwing and Spoiler argue about Batman’s true intentions and Batwing provides the group with some tech to possibly prevent the powers of the Victim Syndicate affecting them.

Clayface recounts his encounter with Mudface before she was transformed which brings feelings of guilt and remorse to the misunderstood Clayface.

Batwing and Batwoman come to blows about Batwing’s own experience and dedication to a team effort. While at the Thompkins Free Clinic Jean-Paul and Harper discuss the distraught Spoiler when an announced visitor arrives. But Jean-Paul is ready to take up the sword and fend off the visitors.

More confrontation erupts between Spoiler and Batman while she’s being interviewed by Dr. Thompkins and afterwards a shocking return.

One thing I like about this issue is the cover seems to be a retro style cover with dialog related to the story in an attempt to sell it like they used to when comics were primarily sold on newsstands. The story is staying interesting with plenty of depth in characters. There’s still plenty of mystery and suspense as Batman is still trying to figure out the identity of the group leader and the ending has some great shock value to lead into the next issue.

 

DETECTIVE COMICS #944 – The Victim Syndicate Pt. 2

Detective Comics #944 – The Victim Syndicate Pt. 2

 

Published November 9, 2016 by DC Comics. Written by James Tynion IV and illustrated by Eddy Barrows.

Harper’s curiosity gets the better of her while scoping out Luke Fox’s car and triggers his anti-theft drones. But the Victim Syndicate crashes the party and Batwoman needs everyone’s help on this one.

Batwing joins the action and Renee attempts to subdue the leader of the Victim Syndicate only to find bullets have no effect. But the leader only wants Batman. Once the fight starts Batman finds his punches have no effect on the tech the leader of the Victim Syndicate is using.

The Victim Syndicate’s leader begins to reveal the group’s connection to Batman as Spoiler falls victim to poison and Batman is rendered speechless. As the leader offers an ultimatum but Batwing disables the leader’s tech that was preventing Batman’s punches from making contact and he is able to land a solid blow to the leader’s jaw. The fighting resumes but comes to a stalemate as the Victim Syndicate retreat.

Later at the Belfry Batman, Batwing and Batwoman review the casefiles on the Victim Syndicate. Batman finally remembers each member and their story. And while recovering from her poisoning Stephanie is visited by the Victim Syndicate’s leader to end the issue.

This new villain group has me intrigued. So far it’s just a band of misfits who seem to think Batman is bad and they are good. However, each “victim” has a menacing power that often seems similar to other villains in the DCU. But that’s explained. I’m looking forward to how all this plays out.

 

DETECTIVE COMICS #943 – The Victim Syndicate Pt. 1

Detective Comics #943 – The Victim Syndicate Pt. 1

Published October 26, 2016 by DC Comics. Written by James Tynion IV and illustrated by Alvaro Martinez.

Gotham has a new menace that wants to see Batman gone. It all starts with an attack at Wayne Enterprise front office. Lucius Fox is the recipient of this new terror’s message to Batman. People killed in a strange way that appears as though they were poisoned in a multitude of ways. And then they leave a calling card on the front of Wayne Enterprise.

Spoiler is still going through the motions of losing Tim. She seeks solitude at the Thompkins Free Clinic and tries to make sense of her duty as a superhero with Harper. While Clayface and Orphan train hard both physically and mentally.

But Bruce and Kate attend a social function at the Gotham Public Museum and continue to analyze the changes Bruce has gone through in relation to his group after the loss of Tim. But the tech at the Belfry is beyond any of them and so to help understand and use it in Tim’s absence Bruce recruits someone whom Kate is not too happy about calling on.

And if the stress of the event wasn’t enough the Victim Syndicate appear to introduce themselves to the party goers.

The Victim Syndicate is beginning to be an interesting story arc. There are many questions about this new villainous group to get you hooked on the story and as Batman and Spoiler continue to deal with the supposed death of Red Robin that story element is intriguing as well. I do like this Batman group though. I think it’s working well rather than having just one sidekick Batman now has a team. The angle Clayface is taking so far is interesting and the ongoing threat of the Colony is enough to keep you reading.

 

DETECTIVE COMICS #942 – Night of the Monster Men Pt. 6

Detective Comics #942 – Night of the Monster Men Pt. 6

 

Published October 12, 2016 by DC Comics. Written by Steve Orlando and illustrated by Andy Macdonald.

The exciting conclusion of “Night of the Monster Men” is here in Detective Comics #942. Batwoman, Nightwing, Spoiler and Orphan begin their attack on the giant monster at Sister Arcippe Cathedral while Batman pursues Hugo Strange to Anders Tower in lower Gotham.

After luring the monster to an attack point between four Gotham towers armed with heavy ammunition, the Arcippe Cathedral group begins their attack on one ugly and menacing monster.

Batman finally arrives to confront Strange at Anders Tower and learns of his plan to somehow replace Batman in Gotham with himself. Strange has donned a Batman suit that is rigged to kill him if Batman touches him.

The group continues their assault on the rampaging monster through Gotham while looking for a weakness. But Dick springs into action with a plan after thinking of all the elements Strange put into the monster. And back at Anders Towers Strange begins to needle Bruce about all his fallen partners which nearly brings Batman to exact his rage on Strange but falls short of killing the doctor.

But Clayface has arrived at Anders Towers and begins to encase the top floor with himself cutting off the oxygen inside which renders Strange nearly unconscious and Nightwing’s plan to ingest into the monster causes the monster to vomit which it releases the child within the monster and defeating it.

So this was the finale to Night of the Monster Men which strangely (no pun intended) did end in an interesting way. Again as with issue #941, this story does make you curious about the rest of the chapters. Especially how all the different villains mentioned and shown factor into the bigger story.

I do like this new group Batman has too. It seems instead of a “Robin” he now is working with a team which adds to the dynamics of the stories so far. I hope DC continues for a long time with this arrangement at least in Detective Comics.

 

DETECTIVE COMICS #941 – Night of the Monster Men Pt. 3

Detective Comics #941 – Night of the Monster Men Pt. 3

Published September 28, 2016 by DC Comics. Written by Steve Orlando and illustrated by Andy Macdonald.

Thrust right into the action Batwoman and Batman are confronting a giant three-headed monster tearing up the Burnley District of Gotham. While Spoiler and Orphan try to tame an unruly group of evacuees and Alfred is analyzing the monster’s make-up in the Batcave. Clayface is formed into a police officer helping with getting people to a safer place. And a new hero, Gotham Girl, is recovering from Psycho Pirate’s fear attack while she tries to help too. The evacuees erupt in violence as one pushes a kid and it becomes too much for Spoiler and Orphan to handle.

Nightwing and Gotham Girl arrive at Blackgate Penitentiary to fight more monsters that seem to be plaguing all of Gotham. Back at the Burnley District Batman and Batwoman battle the monster but it seems to get stronger with each attack.

A strange sludge on the evacuees seems to be fueling their violence while Spoiler and Orphan contain them in a cave with an expanding net.

After finally battling through monsters of their own at Blackgate Nightwing and Gotham Girl confront the monster queen creating all the other monsters. However, after they make contact with its sludge they too are transformed into monsters.

This issue was a crossover into a bigger story taking place all over Gotham. The art was exciting and fun to look at and while the reader is plunged into the middle of the overall story it was still easy to pick up on the basic premise and follow the action, which there was plenty of. The writing was done in a very crafty way so as to entice the reader to seek out the other comics to get the full story. Eventually I may get the whole “Night of the Monster Men” story arc.

DETECTIVE COMICS #940 – Rise Of The Batmen Pt. 7

Detective Comics #940 – Rise Of The Batmen Pt. 7

 

 

 

 

Published September 14, 2016 by DC Comics. Written by James Tynion IV and illustrated by Eddy Barrows/Eber Ferreira.

The last chapter of Rise of the Batmen and Red Robin has taken control of the Bat-drones and has targeted them on himself in an effort to save Gotham. As Red Robin plays his suicide gambit Kate confronts her father about his recent actions and things get physical for the colonel and his daughter. Batman makes one final attempt to save Tim but he arrives too late as Red Robin is brutally gunned down by the Bat-drones.

Later as Spoiler and Batman are still grieving the loss of Tim Stephanie shares Tim’s acceptance letter into Ivy University and Batman is overcome possibly with guilt and maybe thinking he was holding Tim back from what he really wanted.

But did Tim really parish in the drone attack? Mr. Oz removes Tim from “the field” because he is reconnecting threads that could not be reconnected.

The wrap up to Rise of the Batmen was pretty decent. Kate and her father seem to go nowhere in resolving their differences and it seems it’s only getting worse. The ending opens a lot of questions as to why Tim was “removed” and exactly what he was reconnecting. Could it be something to do with Spoiler and her father? Or maybe Bruce? We will have to wait to see how the plays out.

 

 

DETECTIVE COMICS #939 - Rise of the Batmen Pt. 6

Detective Comics #939 – Rise Of The Batmen Pt. 6

 

Published August 24, 2016 by DC Comics. Written by  James Tynion IV and illustrated by Eddy Barrows/Eber Ferreira.

In this new Batman comic the saga continues. And I spoke too soon thinking last issue ended the “Rise of the Batmen” story arc. In this next installment to the aforementioned story arc the Wayne/Kane family history is expounded on a little more. Which illustrates that everyone has family problems. The interesting twist here is the feelings and anger Jacob has towards Thomas Wayne about the night him and Martha were killed. The corollary being that in the present day Colonel Kane once again is at odds with both his daughter and his nephew.  

After clearing out the Colony from the Belfry there’s a lot of clean up to do but thankfully Tim had planned ahead for such a monumental task. Where does he find the time to fight crime and develop sophisticated Dirt Devil-like gadgets!?

The deepening rift between Kate and her father is only being made by the complexity of her teaming up with Batman. She learns Bruce had a strong suspicion her father was involved before he recruited her. Bruce kept this from her and Kate now feels disrespected by the lie and demands no more lies from Bruce. He agrees, however, I think there’s more that Bruce isn’t telling Kate so his agreement is another lie cause to not lie to Kate would me Kate would have charge over Bruce and we all know that isn’t going to happen. But only time will tell to exactly what else Bruce is lying about.

In the climax to this issue Tim has learned something disturbing about the clones the Colonel unleashes on Gotham to eradicate the mythical League of Shadows. Batman and the group know better and think the ones targeted are innocent of any wrong doing. Tim, in a self-less act, devises a plan to lure the coming drones away from their intended target. But at a high cost to the team and Batman.  

 

DETECTIVE COMICS #938 - Rise of the Batmen Pt. 5

Detective Comics #938 – Rise Of The Batmen Pt. 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published August 10, 2016 by DC Comics. Written by  James Tynion IV and illustrated by Alvaro Martinez/Raul Fernandez.

In part five of the Rise of the Batmen we learn a little more about past events that have had a hand in shaping the current relationship between Kate and her father. There was a time when she wanted to fight alongside him but now as an adult she questions his motives and ideology.

And inside the Colony lair it’s an all-out brawl between the newly rescued Batman and his group against the super soldiers of the Colony led by Colonel Kane and Ulysses Armstrong. The Colony learns that underestimating Orphan can be costly while Tim and Ulysses wage a blackhat war against each other.

Kate and her father continue butting heads as the Colonel attempts to lure her to his side but she refuses and stands by Batman. As the Colony closes in Tim unleashes another blackhat attack that gives the group just enough time to escape. However, the game has now changed as Ulysses unleashes his bat-eyes.

With the conclusion of “Rise of the Batmen” I’m interested to see how this story continues into the next arc. Batman’s comment to Colonel Kane as he escapes has me curious as to what he was referring to. Was he referring to the idea that the League of Shadows is real? Or was it a reference to something else? I’ll have to stay tuned to find out…

DETECTIVE COMICS #937 - Rise of the Batmen Pt. 4

Detective Comics #937 – Rise Of The Batmen Pt. 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published July 27, 2016 by DC Comics. Written by  James Tynion IV and illustrated by Alvaro Martinez/Raul Fernandez.

Things are heating up as the conclusion to Rise of the Batmen is near. The utility belt is being analyzed as Batman is able to escape but doesn’t know where he is or what the Colony is really about.

Batman’s group manage to make it to some abandoned subway tunnels beneath Gotham where Tim’s been working on a way to beat Gotham’s rush hour traffic.

Back at the Colony Batman starts to learn what is really going on and how he’s been a part of this new organizations training and purpose. But the shocking surprise is yet to come as his uncle reveals more to the cause of the Batmen and the supposed coming threats to America and Gotham. But Bruce pushes back in a heated confrontation with the cornel.  Just as Batwoman and the group arrive Batwoman choses her side to begin the ending to “Rise of the Batmen”.

I’ve enjoyed the premise to this whole story arc. I like the clash of ideologies expressed between Bruce and his uncle. His uncle sees a future where one man can’t fight the good fight alone and thinks the US military with clones of Batman are the answer to protecting her shores. Batman sees the video of the Colony in action at hot spots around the world but still thinks the real threat is the League of Assassins and not the conspiracy group his uncle believes is. I’m anxious to see what comes of the Colony after all this is resolved. Do they remain a covert force in the military or does Batwoman somehow take command?   

DETECTIVE COMICS #935 – Rise Of The Batmen Pt. 2

DETECTIVE COMICS #935

 

Published June 22, 2016 by DC Comics. Written by  James Tynion IV and illustrated by Eddy Barrows/Eber Ferreira.

Batwoman begins the new vigilante group’s training. It’s exhausting and grueling but is she pushing them too hard? She has a vision for the team and the team’s potential is being challenged.

Red Robin confronts Batman about the training yet both are keeping things back from one another.

Azrael’s computer becomes the focus of Batman’s investigation into the mysterious group called the “Colony” who are targeting him and the new vigilante team. While the Belfry super crime fighting computer may be the solution they are looking for to solving the riddle.

Being a Kane has a high standards and low views of the Waynes. Kate wrestles with her father’s expectations and her own ideals as well as her loyalties to her cousin, Bruce Wayne.

The story so far has me hooked. I like this new foe, the Colony. A gathering of bats is called a colony as they fly. I think this new group is something on another level than Man-Bat and the man-bat serum. Only time will tell and I’ll keep reading to learn more…

DETECTIVE COMICS #934 – Rise Of The Batmen Pt. 1

DETECTIVE COMICS #934

 

 

Published June 8, 2016 by DC Comics. Written by  James Tynion IV and illustrated by Eddy Barrows/Eber Ferreira.

Detective Comics #934 is the first Detective Comics issue to return to the numbering convention used before the New 52 campaign. This is part of the DC Universe’s “Rebirth” campaign. Someone is watching Gotham’s vigilantes. Someone with advanced technology beyond what is available on Earth.

Batman, with the help of Batwoman must recruit those being watched by this unknown being and prepared them for what is coming.

I’m pretty neutral on the whole numbering issue. Whether they re-boot a series, go back to an old numbering or go to an alpha numeric encrypted code you have to enter in a website to get the number makes no difference to me. Detective Comics is the only DC title I read so my thoughts and views come from that perspective.

After reading Detective #934 I’m excited about this new story arc. My curiosity is intrigued. The opening pages with Azrael do a nice job setting the stage for what is coming. The whole issue pretty much introduces this new team Batman and Batwoman must put together to confront whatever, or whoever, is scheming against Gotham vigilantes. It’s not till the end we see it’s some sort of advanced army of a bat-kind.

I think beginning in this issue we may see some depth coming to the character Clayface. The couple of pages introducing him in this issue were interesting.

 

CATWOMAN