Forever Evil: Arkham War #1 Review

Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Artist: Scot Eaton

Although the Villains Month prequels in the Scarecrow and Bane issues weren't as good as I hoped they would I have still been looking forward to this series, with this being the only mini-series from Forever Evil that I'll be getting bar Forever Evil itself.

Plot

With Bane's arrival near, Scarecrow turns to Penguin for advice on how to deal with him.

Review

This was surprisingly a very good opening issue for the series, as I half expected the first issue to be of the same quality level that the Villains Month prequels were. Peter J. Tomasi did however do a very good job of kicking this off, giving people who missed Villains Month a reader friendly issue, whilst also allowing people who read the prequels a better reading experience. The issue itself was also brilliantly paced, as even the slower sequences had the perfect mood and tone, with the exciting moments also being very explosive, and dramatic. Tomasi also did a great job of adding as many villains as he could without it feeling forced, and I was very happy that he added a smaller villain like Professor Pyg.

The artwork on this issue was also amazing, and Scot Eaton did a fantastic job. The detail throughout the issue was brilliant, with everything being very consistent. I also really enjoyed the way that Eaton laid his artwork out, as it helped with the overall pace of the issue, adding a lot of depth, and also being very dynamic. Eaton also did a brilliant job with the character movement, and expression in this issue as well, as it allowed for so much more excitement and drama, also adding even more depth to the issue. I also loved how Eaton drew Bane, as he managed to make him look like the monster that he is, showing the intensity that he brings, which isn't easy considering you can't show much facial expressions.

The main theme of this issue would be Bane's imminent arrival, and due to this the issue would see Scarecrow frantically going about trying to find ways of stopping Bane. This would included Scarecrow having interactions with both Professor Pyg and the new mayor of Gotham, the Penguin. Now I really enjoyed this, as although I have found Scarecrow's personal fear to be a hindrance for his character, it was handled in a brilliant way in this issue. I also really enjoyed the Penguin's lack of concern over this, as it showed his characteristics perfectly.

This issue would also see Bane on a rampage, with his main target in this issue being Blackgate Penitentiary. Bane was easily the most enjoyable character to read in this issue, and Tomasi really seems to know what he's doing, as although his Bane Villains Month issue was rather slow, he has made up for that big time in this issue. I also really enjoyed seeing Bane exert his dominance, and how it was extremely clear that he didn't care about anything besides taking control of Gotham. I also enjoyed how Tomasi showed Bane's intelligence, as although he doesn't care what he has to do, he still very much has a plan about how best to accomplish his goal.

Another thing that I enjoyed about this issue was that we got to see how the Gotham City Police Department was dealing with the sudden carnage, with Commissioner James Gordon making an appearance. Now his appearance wasn't long in this issue, and that was probably a very good thing, as it didn't take away from the two main characters, Bane and Scarecrow. I did however feel that it was a great addition, as with Batman gone there needed to be some sign of protection for the city, as although they may not be winning, it wouldn't be right to show not attempt at all to stop these villains.

Final Verdict

This was a fantastic issue, and much better than I originally thought it would be. It was however still not perfect, but did set the series up brilliantly, and I'm expecting a lot from the future of the series now. This issue itself was also very dramatic and exciting, being perfectly paced, with the slower parts even having brilliant tone to counter that. Due to all this I'd highly recommend this issue, as it is well worth giving a try.

Rating: 8/10

Batman #23.4 Bane Review

Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Artist: Graham Nolan

This was an issue that I was slightly excited about, but dreading following the disappointing Scarecrow issue last week. Bane has been one of the villains that I've enjoyed most over the years as although he's not always been used properly, when he is he's a huge threat to anyone in his way.

Plot

With Batman gone Bane makes plans to return to Gotham City and take the city as his own.

Review

This was a good issue, and although I enjoyed it, it was far from perfect. Peter J. Tomasi once again did a great job of setting up the upcoming Forever Evil: Arkham War series in this issue, though it wasn't much more than set-up. I did however prefer this to the other set-up to Arkham War in the Scarecrow issue, as this managed to have much more excitement to it, as well as having more depth. I did however feel that the issue didn't show Bane at his best, as although most of his characteristics were spot on he didn't seem as driven as he normally is. I do however have a lot of hope for the upcoming Arkham War series, as although both set-up issues haven't been brilliant, they have shown a lot of promise.

I was in two minds about the artwork in this issue as although I overall enjoyed it I felt that Graham Nolan didn't do as good a job on Bane as he has in the past. Now I'll talk about the good stuff first as the layout to Nolan's artwork was amazing, being very dynamic and impactful. I also felt that it was very well detailed throughout, and that although it had quite a few plain backgrounds it managed to work well with the tone of the issue. I would however have preferred Bane to have been bigger, as although Nolan did a good job of showing his sheer power, I would have rather him been the huge foe that I loved through Knightfall. In saying that there probably was no need for him to be bigger in this story, and overall Nolan did a fantastic job.

This issue would quickly make it clear that Bane wants Gotham for himself now that Batman is no longer around. Now this is an interesting development, and given the fact that Scarecrow plans on taking Gotham for himself as well it has made the perfect set-up scenario for the upcoming Arkham War series. I did however feel that the issue spent too much time on this, not allowing us to see the best side of Bane. Bane did however manage to give some atmosphere to this issue, just not as much as I hoped he would.

This issue would also briefly run through Bane's origins, showing how he grew up in one of the worst prisons on the planet, Peña Dura, and how he got the venom that drives him. This quick summary of his origin was a nice touch as it allows people who want to know his origin the chance to see it, whilst also not clogging the issue up for people who know it well. I personally however would have rather seen a bit more of this in the issue, as given how the issue went it would have added more excitement to it.

WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD!

The Scarecrow Villains Month issue would state that Bane would go to Blackgate Penitentiary to get an army, so when I started this issue I was surprised that he was still in Peña Dura. The issue does however have Blackgate involved, though I would have liked them to have had a bigger role, and for Bane to have actually been there himself. It did however also add to the set-up, as although I complained about this and the Scarecrow issue being too much set-up this should mean that Arkham War has no excuse to excel.

Final Verdict

This was an enjoyable issue but nothing special, having a little too much set-up work for the upcoming Arkham War series. It did however have some excitement as well as a lot of depth, but it didn't really do Bane justice, quickly summarising his origin, and not showing him in much action. Due to this I'd only recommend this to anyone who's either that big of a Bane fan that they can't miss it, anyone who's considering getting Arkham War, or anyone who has spare cash and is looking for something half decent to read.

Rating: 6/10