Batman: War Crimes Review

Writers: Bill Willingham, Andersen Gabrych, Bruce Jones & Will Pfeifer

Artists: Pete Woods, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Eddy Barrows, Ron Randall & Tom Derenick

I'm back to doing my Batman reviews, and I still plan on reviewing the remaining key Batman stories up until the start of the New 52. This is also my eighth review on the series with my last review being on Batman: Under The Red Hood.

Plot

It's one year since Gotham City's Gang War, and Arturo Rodriguez is reporting new information surrounding Stephanie Brown's death. There is also someone out to give Batman a bad name, going around dressed as him, committing terrible crimes.

Review

This was a fantastic story, and a terrific follow-up to the War Games crossover. The main writers on this book would be Bill Willingham, and Andersen Gabrych, with Bruce Jones, and Will Pfeifer also working on short stories at the start of the book. Both Willingham, and Gabrych did a terrific job of continuing from where War Games left off, as although a year has past, it felt very natural, having the exact same feel as it. The storyline itself was also very exciting, and dramatic, having a lot of suspense, and mystery around it. I also loved seeing Batman doing some detective work, as although it's not uncommon, it doesn't happen too regularly, and at the time due to having Oracle (Barbara Gordon) he didn't need to be a detective as much, so it was nice to see this again. The earlier stories in this book were also interesting, especially "Taking Sides" which was also written by Gabrych, but they were overshadowed by the main story.

The main artwork on this story would be shared by Pete Woods, and Giuseppe Camuncoli, with Eddy Barrows, Ron Randall, and Tom Derenick also working on the short stories at the start of the book. I felt that both Woods, and Camuncoli's art was amazing, but this time round I much preferred Camuncoli's art, as although I preferred Wood's art on Batman: War Games Act One: Outbreak, Camuncoli's art much suits Batman as a character and was only slight poorer that Woods during War Games due to his art focusing on Robin (Tim Drake). Both artists put a tremendous amount of detail into their artwork, and I really enjoyed how they managed to give the dark, and brooding tone to the Dark Knight (especially Camuncoli). I was however not a fan of Wood's Joker, and also felt that besides Batman that the characters expressions looked a bit awkward in Camuncoli's art, but besides that both were brilliant.

The main story in this book was remembering the gang war that happened throughout War Games, with it being one year since all that carnage. I personally really enjoyed War Games, with it being one of the better Batman crossover events, so the fact that they made a follow-up to it was amazing. I especially enjoyed how they went on to talk about Stephanie Brown more, as this would be the first sign that her death has had an affect on people. I also enjoyed seeing Arturo Rodriguez, but found his complete change of attitude strange, even though it was apparent that his views on Batman were different.

There would be a key question made throughout this story, and that was whether it's right for Batman to have all these children fighting crime in his name? Now in the real world this would be a simple no, but due to it being Batman's world things are different. To be fair he shouldn't have kids fighting alongside him, especially considering how many of them have died (three since Damian Wayne died). I do however feel that for his character he needs these children working with him, as having grew up with no parents, he feels the need to be a father figure, and feels the affect of every death. It is still a sticky question however, but due to it ultimately being fiction it doesn't really matter as long as we get great comics out of it (which we do).

A familiar villain from War Games would feature in this story, with the Black Mask once again making life difficult for Batman. This Black Mask was such a great villain for Batman, and I loved how he managed to get involved in so many stories. I also loved his character, and this story would continue to show it perfectly, showing how he's both power hungry, whilst deep down a bit of a coward. I also loved seeing Black Mask battle Batman in this story, and especially considering the amazing dialogue that was written, with the brilliant references to War Games.

Black Mask wasn't the only villain in this, as Batman's greatest nemesis the Joker would also appear, having a mysterious objective. It's always nice to see Joker, and especially when he's used properly. Now this may not go down as one of Joker's greatest appearance, but I actually rather liked seeing him take a back seat, especially considering he still had a lot of attention, as most writers that add him without making him the main villain neglect him, which ultimately ruins his characteristic in the story. The witty dialogue from Joker was also amazing, and when his real agenda was revealed I was so excited, with it adding a lot more tone, and drama to that part of the story.

Final Verdict

A brilliant story, and a fantastic follow-on from the outstanding War Games crossover. This showed just how much War Games affected the Batverse, and how everyone is dealing with it one year later. It was however still a very unique story, not just using the event of War Games for the sake of it, being very deep, and independent. Due to all this I'd easily recommend this to anyone, especially if you've read War Games, and if not I'd also recommend reading that as well.

Rating: 9/10

The next Batman book I'll be reviewing will be Batman: Face the Face.

Teen Titans #17 Review

Writer: Scott Lobdell & Fabian Nicieza

Artist: Eddy Barrows

This has been a very unpredictable series when it comes to the quality of story, but I've still enjoyed it. and it's a really fun series. Now that Death of the Family is out the way I hope that it can keep to a more consistent quality level, and hopefully a high one at that.

Plot

Red Robin (Tim Drake) has decided to treat his fellow teammates by buying their own headquarters in the form of a boat.

Review

This issue wasn't anywhere near as good as the previous issue, but to be honest I never expected it to be. To be fair though I would also expect this not to be a brilliant issue as it's a prologue to a new story. Scott Lobdell, and Fabian Nicieza did a really good job on this issue, and the upcoming stoyline looks as if it might be interesting. I really liked Nicieza's work on Tim in the past, both in the Robin, and Red Robin series, so I have been happy to see him on board this series. Anyway the story itself was a bit poor, and slow. The main reason I think that it's like this is because after all the crazy stuff that's happened to the Teen Titans the writers wanted to give them some time to themselves before the next big story. Although this helps keep the reality of the series, whilst also developing the overall team it does mean that the issue overall will be a little slow, and not very exciting. I do however have high hopes that we will see a decent to good storyline coming, and will be disappointed if it's not.

This issue marked the start of new artist Eddy Barrows. Having read Nightwing (which former Titans artist Brett Booth's moving to) I know that Barrows is a very good artist. Although I liked Barrows working on Nightwing, and Booth working on this series, it's still nice to see them swap series', as it gives some variety. The detail in Barrows art was brilliant, as everything looked fully detailed, and wonderful, even the minor details were terrific. I did however notice that Barrows artwork makes some of the characters look a bit different. This isn't a bad thing, I actually quite like it, as the characters look more realistic, and unique. I'm also surprised that I actually like Barrows art more than any of the artists that have worked on this series, even Booth's. I say that I'm surprised cause if I was to compare Barrows' art on Nightwing to Booth's art on this series Booth's would win, but I think that this series suits Barrows artwork more, and cause of that I hope that Booth's artwork suits Nightwing more.

I actually liked that the Titans got a chance to relax, and get to spend some time with each other, apart from in battle I mean. Although it slowed the story down it was nice to see, and now that they have fancy new headquarters, which is a boat it shows that they are becoming a well oiled unit. Another reason I was happy about this sequence was that I'd been begging for more interaction between the characters for a while now, as although Tim, Superboy, and Wonder Girl (Cassie Sandsmark) have interacted slightly, and Kid Flash (Bart Allen), and Solstice have interacted, with Bunker interacting with everyone now and then, they haven't really had the chance to relax as a team.

It was interesting to see that Superboy has still not returned to the team. I know that he's busy helping Superman in H'el on Earth, but I kinda half expected him to return this issue. It does however make sense that he stays away until H'el on Earth's finished, as it keeps the timeline in sync. Also after reading this issue I wonder where Superboy will be sleeping, as Tim showed every character where they where sleeping, and it looked like there was nowhere left. I know he didn't want to stay with the Titans before, but I thought that was to do with them staying in a LexCorp building, but I thought that he'd stay with them now. There could be an easy explanation that either he's still wanting to keep to himself living arrangement wise, or that there are more beds.

WARNING: SPOILER AHEAD!

Another thing that caught my eye in this issue was that Tim was a bit of a womaniser. It has looked as if Tim and Cassie might have a relationship, but for him to be kissing Solstice, and then kissing Cassie is a bit out of character for Tim. I won't say any more about the facts as to avoid overly spoiling the issue, but it was weird, and I look forward to seeing this side of Tim develop, and also for it to get explained. In saying that I also found it weird that Solstice let him kiss her. She's been kind of having a relationship with Kid Flash, and although she mentions this to Tim it doesn't appear to prevent he from letting him continue, which leaves questions about her character.

Finally I'll talk about the new character introduced in this issue. Although she doesn't appear until the end she was also featured on the cover so it's not much of a spoiler. The new character is Raven. I don't know much about Raven, but I do know that she was a long time member of the Teen Titans prior to the New 52, and had a dark side to her. This begs the question in the New 52 is she a friend to the Titans, or a foe. I for one will be looking forward to finding out, and seeing what he role in the upcoming story will be. The villain Dr. Light also appeared in this issue so I will defiantly be looking forward to seeing the conflict between him, and Raven, whatever form it comes in.

Final Verdict

Although not a brilliant issue this was still a good issue. It's nice to see the Titans interact with each other in a relaxed environment for a change, but it did slow the issue down a bit. I would however still recommend this issue, and the series, and am looking forward to the next issue, as this new story looks very interesting.

Rating: 3.5/5

Nightwing #16 Review

Writer: Kyle Higgins
Artist: Eddy Barrows

This has overall been a very good series, and one of my favourite out of the Bat titles. Kyle Higgins has really done a terrific job, and although the series hasn't always been brilliant, it has been fun.

Plot

This issue sees Nightwing rush to Haly's Circus where he finds Joker, and dug up former members of Haly's Circus.

Review

This was a very good issue, and Higgins did a great job. Although this issue was very fast paced, it was still very good, and written brilliantly. For a two part story, Higgins has really done a fabulous job of utilizing the most he can get out of it, and has kept the tone of the series the same,whilst adding the psychotic element that comes with Joker. What I've liked most about this story is that it's centered around Haly's Circus, which has been a big feature in this series. It makes he story twice as personal for Nightwing, as Joker isn't only attacking the Bat-Family, but also Haly's Circus, that Dick has started to see as a second family.

The art in this issue is fantastic, and Eddy Barrows continues to produce some fabulous work. He's done a brilliant job throughout this series, and I will be sad to see him leave, but I do look forward to seeing him work on Teen Titans, and also look forward to seeing Teen Titan artist Brett Booth join this series. Barrows art in this issue is just as phenomenal as any of his other artwork, and it really makes the issue look fabulous. There are ton's of detail in his artwork, and it's hard to fault any of it. The way Barrows draws Joker is also fantastic, as he really makes him look gruesome, whilst still looking realistic.

I really enjoyed the suspense in this issue, and how Nightwing was confused at certain points. Higgins did a really good job of this, as it felt like something Joker would do, and although it wasn't as surprising as some of his other antics, it was handled brilliantly, which made the sequence better than most of Joker's other plans. The shock on Nightwing's face at certain points also added brilliantly to the atmosphere of the issue, and showed just how impaired he was.

I don't really want to talk much about the rest of the comic, as to avoid spoilers, but it was very dramatic, and had some amazing action sequences, which Barrows made amazing. Rod Reis also did a fabulous job with the colours in this issue, and really made some of the action sequences look even more amazing than they already were.

It was also nice to see Sonia Zucco make an appearance in this issue, as it showed that Dick, and her story is far from over.

Like Batgirl #16, and Batman and Robin #16 the ending was both good and bad. I won't spoil the ending, but will explain why I think it was both good and bad. The ending itself sets up Batman #17, which is the finale of the Death of the Family crossover. This was nice as the ending of Batman #16 was brilliant, and looked like it would involve the rest of the Bat-Family in the finale, but at the same time it leaves this part of the crossover ending unfinished, which may not suit the few people who have been reading Nightwing, but not Batman.

Final Verdict

This was an amazing issue, and one of the best final issues of Death of the Family so far. I would highly recommend this issue, as well as most of this series, and especially the Death of the Family tie-ins (this issue, and the last).

Rating: 4.5/5

Nightwing #15 Review

Writer: Kyle Higgins

Artist: Eddy Barrows

Overall this series has been terrific, and Kyle Higgins has done an excellent job. I've loved that this series has focused on Dick Grayson dealing with his past, and how he's embraced it. I've also been really enjoying seeing Dick as Nightwing again, as although I liked him as Batman, and Robin, I much preferred him as Nightwing.

Plot

This issue starts with Joker killing Jimmy Clark because of the resemblance between them, and to get to Nightwing. Joker also has Raya Vestri, and Nightwing has to figure out Joker's plan.

Review

This was an excellent issue, and Higgins has done a splendid job of introducing this series into the Death of the Family crossover. I have really liked Higgins work over this series, and although Tom DeFalco didn't do too bad a job on the last two issues, it wasn't as good as Higgins' work. The way he's reintroduced Haly's Circus into this series, and that he's used this as a recurring setting has been a very nice touch, and I felt he used that in this issue perfectly. He also appears to have a brilliant understanding of Dick as a character, whether he's normal Dick Grayson, or NIghtwing, and it's shown in this issue. I've also loved how Higgins has used Joker a little more casually than the other series in this crossover has, whilst still making him psychotic, which I really liked. These tie-in issues to Death of the Family have also been a brilliant platform to show that Joker has put a lot of effort, and planing into this, and that it won't be an easy feet stopping him.

The art in this issue was phenomenal, and Eddy Barrows did a fabulous job. I have loved his artwork throughout this series, and am happy he's back to do the art for this issue. His art is very detailed, and suits this series perfectly. It is obvious when looking at his artwork that a lot of effort has went into it, and it's much appreciated. He also does a brilliant job of showing the tone's in the series, whether that's through facial expressions/emotions, or in the sequence where Dick, and Sonia Zucco kiss' case with images in the background showing what's going through Dick's mind, although I'll talk more on that further down my review. The way Barrows draws Joker is also fantastic, and I love that he makes the differences between the real Joker, and the people affected by the Joker Gas obvious, even if Joker didn't have his face mask.

No Body Likes a Knockoff

The sequence where Joker kills Jimmy, at the start of this issue was brilliant, and one of the best things about the issue. I really liked that Joker couldn't see the resemblance until the Joker Gas had taken him over, killing him. It was however the symbolism in this sequence that caught my attention the most, as Joker hangs him above the Haly's Circus entrance, with a sign round him saying, "no body likes a knockoff," which could refer to Dick's time as Batman besides Jimmy's resemblance to Joker. I also liked this because it makes you question if Joker knows the Bat-Families secret identities or not, as it would have been easy to have worked out that it was a different Batman whilst Dick was in the role, especially to Batman's arch nemesis.

Your Dad was Tony Zucco

The relationship between Dick, and Sonia has been an interesting development throughout the series, and I was wondering when it would get to this stage. Although it may have been better kept till the Death of the Family crossover finished it was still nice to see, and a good choice of filler, between the Joker sequences, and Dick being Nightwing. The sequence itself was brilliant, and I loved that Higgins built up to it in the pages before the kiss, with both characters upset over what happened at Haly's Circus. I also loved that Dick's thoughts were shown in the background, and he remembered that Sonia was Tony Zucco (the man that killed his parents) father, and that them being in a relationship is something he's need to think over. I will be looking forward to seeing if this relationship goes any further, and if the events of Death of the Family will affect it.

WARNING: SMALL SPOILER!

Mini Joker

There was a small thing that I felt spoiled this issue, and it was the way Raya was used. I felt that there was more potential in Raya, and especially after seeing she'd be involved in this story, so when I found out that Joker infected her with Joker Gas I was slightly annoyed. I did however like that Joker pointed out that now Nightwing can have his own Joker. Raya's appearance does however set-up the next issue, which looks to be very interesting. I do however hope that Raya's appearance in this issue proves to be more worthy than it appears, and that it might have consequences further in the series.

Final Verdict

This was a brilliant issue, and one of the best in the series so far. It has also been one of the best Death of the Family tie-in's so far, and I hope the next and final part of this story is just as good, if not better, I would highly recommend this issue, and the series so far, as despite the few down moments in the series, it has still been very good overall.

Rating: 4.5/5