2014 will mark the 75th anniversary of Batman, and with that USA Today has announced that DC will be brining out a brand new weekly series for Batman that will launch in Spring 2014. The series will be named Batman: Eternal, and will have the rotation of writers including Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, John Layman, Ray Fawkes and Tim Seeley, with artist Jason Fabok also working on the project as it's lead artist.
Scott Snyder told USA Today, "It's a place for me to be able to work with good friends in terms of shaping Gotham in a bigger, grander and more game-changing way than ever before."
It has also been announced that Detective Comics #27 will be a 96 page celebration issue, and will be released on the 8th January. It will feature multiple writers and artists, including Paul Dini, Brad Meltzer, Gregg Hurwitz, Peter Tomasi, Neal Adams, Dustin Nguyen, Francesco Francavilla and Frank Miller. This issue will also see the start of John Layman and Jason Fabok's final arc on the series titled"Gothtopia" as USA Today would also announce that there will be a new creative team for Detective Comics in the spring, with current Flash writers Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato taking over the series.
Manapul told USA Today, "We want to bring him closer to his roots and be more of a street-level type of hero. His superheroics will still be present, but the investigative part of Batman will be at the forefront."
Buccellato added that, "There is a perception that Francis and I are best suited for 'lighter fare' because of our run on the vibrant, fast-moving world of Barry Allen. But we also have a gritty and dark side that we will tap into as we get into the mind of the Dark Knight. Stylistically, we will use the tools in our toolbox to capture what we think the Bat-universe looks and feels like. Gotham won't look like Central City, so you won't be seeing all the bright reds, oranges and yellows that defined Flash's world."
My Thoughts
I don't know what I think of the idea of a weekly Batman series, as although I think it's a brilliant way of celebrating his 75th Anniversary, it is a lot to commit to a series that is released weekly. I do however like the idea of the creative team constantly changing as it gives people the opportunity to only get certain issues, or try writers and artists that they've not tried before. I will however give it a go and hope that it stays fresh and interesting. I am however much more excited about the Detective Comics news, as although I am enjoying Layman and Fabok's run I am happy that it's a creative team like Manapul and Buccellato that are taking over. I also am really looking forward to seeing what their take on the character will be, and how it will contrast to their Flash work. I also think it is very appropriate to have a celebration issue for Detective Comics #27 as with Batman being first introduced in the original Detective Comics #27 it's a nice homage. On top of this I'm looking forward to seeing all the brilliant artists work in the issue, and especially Frank Miller's.
Co-Writer/Artist: Francis Manapul
Co-Writer/Colourist: Brian Buccellato
I have been thoroughly enjoying this series, and it has easily been the best Flash series I have ever read. I've been enjoying how the stories have intertwined into this story and how we've got to learn more about the Speed Force throughout the series.
Plot
This issue sees Flash running away from Gorilla Grodd who now has the Speed Force going through him, alowing him to keep up with Flash. Meanwhile Iris West is still trapped in the Speed Force and Turbine is aiding Patty Spivot and Captain Frye in finding Barry.
Review
This was a brilliant issue and this story just keeps getting better, and better. What Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato have done over this series has been amazing and I've loved how they've brought Grodd and his Gorilla army to Barry's world, when he least expects it. I've also liked how they have made Grodd slightly equal, if not more powerful than Barry now by giving him the Speed Force. I've also liked the way they've written all the side characters in this issue, and how even the Rogues know that this Gorilla invasion isn't good.
The art form Manapul, along with Buccellato's colours have been outstanding throughout the series, and continue to amaze in this issue. I like how both writer's have a hand in the a hand in the artwork making it that much more personal to them, and showing that their main talent is their artwork. Manapul's drawing is brilliant and I love how he puts so much detail and emotion into his work, even with the smaller sequences, or panels that have the characters in the distance. Buccellato's colours bring Manapul's art to life and gives ton;s of tone to the series. I also love how he choices when to use soft or hard colours perfectly which make the art beautiful. It's nice to see that they can both not only write an amazing story, but give us some truly amazing art, which I thank them for.
Grodd having the Speed Force in this issue was very interesting, and it made the chase between him and Flash even more exciting. It was also nice to see how Flash reacted, whilst having someone able to keep up with him. The anger in Grodd's face was also brilliant, and it was easily noticeable that Grodd had bad intentions, and that it wouldn't be good for Flash if Grodd caught him.
I liked how the Rogues were still fighting alongside Flash, even if Flash wasn't there, and how they realised that Grodd's invasion is a lot more important than fighting Flash. It was also interesting to see that the Rogues still had time to argue amongst themselves, mainly Captain Cold and Golden Glider arguing over who is leader of the Rogues.
Grodd breaking Flash's suit in this issue was very interesting and it showed that Flash wasn't indestructible, and that his suit could be damaged. Flash's reaction to his suit breaking was also brilliant, and it was easily noticeable that Flash couldn't believe what just happened. Flash's suit breaking also leaves the question of how easily Flash's secret identity could be revealed, and if Barry will eventually find a material that could withstand more impact, whilst being able to maintain the friction of his speed.
The way this issue started was amazing, and I loved how it talked about evolution, and how the Gorilla's came to talk. It was also interesting to see how the Speed Force first came to the Gorilla's. I also liked how it explained that Evolution wasn't always what the great scientists like Charles Darwin thought it was and that Evolution could surprise you.
I also liked how we got to see Iris in the Speed Force, as I actually forgot she was in there. I will be looking forward to seeing if she gets out of the Speed Force, and if it will happen during this story.
Final Verdict
This was an amazing issue and one of the best in the series so far. I would highly recommend this issue and am looking forward to seeing what will happen to Flash in next issue.
Rating: 4.5/5
