Comic Book Case

All-Star Batman #1 (Syder and John Romita Jr is life)

The peaceful morning at Auggie Mac's Diner is interrupted by a BATTLE OF BATMAN VERSUS KILLER MOTH AND FIREFLY! They are looking for Two-Face who Batman  is taking somewhere at the behest of...... Harvey Dent. It turns out that Harvey contacted Batman two weeks ago, telling him that the thing he and Batman were working on years ago is ready and that it's time to burn Two-Face out once and for all. But Two-Face isn't going down quietly, he's offered a reward to anyone who stops Batman, all the money from the top three crime bosses in Gotham City, delivered secretly and totally untraceable. This story promises to be one of the best Two-Face stories in years as everyone tries to stop Batman form reaching the house, even.......... Alfred!

I admit I was going into this book with the highest of expectations, Scott Snyder has written some of my favorite Batman stories but also John Romita Jr, whose art I loved  on Captain America and Black Panther. I also want to give credit to the character Two-Face who I felt didn't get a good deal in New 52, it almost seemed like they were trying to kill him off fully and it was implied he was in Batman and Robin. The dynamic between Batman and Two-Face is special because where it is not only Batman and Two-Face, it is also Bruce Wayne and Harvey Dent. It's the duplicity that speaks to their relationship, and added to the fact that it's Harvey Dent contacting Bruce for help to essentially be Batman to stop Two-Face from fully taking over is brilliant.

Wonder Woman #4 (Three Amazons and three bullets)

The Amazons have summoned a council to discuss what to do about the men who have arrived on Themyscira. Some Amazons see this as an attack while the others see it as a simple accident with Queen Hippolyta questioning if it is a sign that Man's World is in trouble Meanwhile Dianna visits Steve Trevor on and off and tries to communicate with him. Later Hippolyta decides to hold a competition to see who will go to Man's World, who is willing to lose their immortality and never return to Paradise. Diana is ultimately the victor and departs with Steve Trevor.

I like this so much more than the previous issue. It feels like a happy balance between Morrison's Earth One book and Azzarello's take on it. We see an Amazon society that is advanced in their own way but still a bit primitive with technology going in a different direction. I really enjoyed how the Amazons gather a council of their military and religious leaders to discuss what Steve's arrival means. What I do wonder is what that means for the first man to step on Themyscira that was such a crucial point of the Darkseid War. This was just a really fun and informative issue. My only slight problem is just how downplayed the trial was to determine who would go to Man's World. I remember in other stories, the trial was built up really well and Diana had to go undercover but this was like two pages and then a test to see who god block a bullet. I think that would have helped to give this book some more action and feel but overall this was just a great issue.

Detective Comics #938 (and now it begins)

Our story begins with a flashback or Jake Kane remembering the day he was promoted to his super high ranked position but he later leaves when he gets a report about where his daughter is. The two share a touching moment at a military cemetery where they talk about life and what Kate wants, which she says is to be a soldier. The moment then ends with a battle between Batman and his group vs. Colony. It all looks good for out heroes, and Tim has a nice chat with the Ulysses who is a big fan and gets too wrapped up in talking about how much smarter his and doesn't notice Robin hacked him. Batman ha Clayface create an elevator for them to run on as the group exchanges information. Batman is still set on the League of Shadow being a myth and Robin reveals that the Colony operates without the government's knowledge. They have one final stare down with Kane before they leave.

I kind of feel that this issue was a bit too early, it almost feels like the battle has already started on that big level but that is really the only problem. We got another touching moment between Kate and Jake and it's really sad to see how far the two have fallen over the years and that Batman has in a way been their unifying strength and some ways. I wonder if the League of Shadows is really a myth or if it is connected to the Monster Men in some way. I really loved the scene with Orphan and I really do hope we get more moments to make her feel like the Cassandra Cain from pre-Flashpoint who was just so adorable and scary. The action was great and it's nice to see the coming battle is still coming as now both sides are aware of not only each other, but of the League of Shadows.

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corp #2 (Did we possibly make a mistake?)

John Stewart and the Green Lantern's are now back, even Mogo but they don't know where they are and they don't know what's going on. John sends Guy Gardner to scout out, and see what's going on and how much time has passed. Meanwhile, Sinestro and Soranik talk with Soranik asking why he didn't use Parallax to heal him ages ago. Sinestro says that he himself couldn't convince the Sinestro Corp was a good force for peace and justice but Soranik was the best choice because people don't trust him. Sinestro later receives a message that Hal Jordan has been spotted with a Gren Lantern Ring and he tells them not to engage him to which no one listens. Hal is busy dealing with Sinestro Corp members and trying to get info but as he does he finds himself being attacked by a swarm of Yellow Lanterns.

This issue was another good one but better because the last two issues were really just getting started. Everything is now almost totally in place with Sinestro aware of Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corp back and I'm predicting Guy will find Hal next issue. My only problem with this is I think it would have been better and more chilling if Hal had gone to a planet that was under the proper control of the Sinestro Corp and everyone thinks the Green Lanterns are the bad guys. The Green Lanterns finding themselves in a galaxy that feels it doesn't need or want them, at least on some planets. It's also a bit weird that the Sinestro Corp members are ignoring Sinestro's orders. Overall still a good issue.