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
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artists: Graham Nolan & Victor Drujiniu
After all the nice things said about this series, as well as the release of the new Constantine series I finally decided to try this series, and I'm very glad that I did, as the Books of Magic storyline was phenomenal, and this series as a whole as been one of the most unique series I've read from the New 52, and I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Plot
John Constantine talks to A.R.G.U.S.and there top expert Johnny Peril about trying to find Zatanna and Tim Hunter, whilst Frankenstein, Black Orchid, and Amethyst search The House of Mystery, finding some surprises along the way.
Review
Although this was yet another good issue in this marvellous series, it was however easily the worst I've read, but that just goes to show how good a series it is, when a issue as good as this is the worst. Jeff Lemire has done a very good job at giving us a nice fun issue to fill the gap between storylines, but at the end of the day it was nothing more than a filler, even if a fun filler. Lemire did however do a brilliant job of bringing newer readers up to speed with the shocking conclusion to the previous story, whilst also giving a very fun, and unique story, making this a very reader friendly issue, as you don't have to have read the previous story to enjoy this one, although I'd still recommend getting it if you can, as it was nothing short of phenomenal. I also liked that Lemire decided to use this opportunity to explore the House of Mystery a bit more, as with this being nothing more than a filler it's the perfect time, but I'll talk more about that later on in my review. Lemire did however also manage to keep a dark enough feel to this issue whilst still making it very fun, which I liked, as it wasn't too dark.
The art in this issue was what really disappointed me. I've really been enjoying Mikel Janin's art on this series, and although Graham Nolan, and Victor Drujiniu did a decent job, it was nowhere near as good. Don't get me wrong it wasn't terrible, and I have seen a lot worse artwork, but there was times were the art just felt a bit awkward. I also found that the lines were inked a bit too heavily, as it stood out a bit too much, making the whole thing look unnatural, as well as unrealistic, and overall it disappointed me. As I said the last time someone apart from Janin did the art (issue 0), I've probably just became too accustomed to Janin's marvellous art, so whenever I see something not to that standard it disappoints, but in saying that Lee Garbett's art suited the style of story that issue 0 was, whereas this issue feels like it could have been better. The layout however was good, and I liked that it felt very dramatic, but at the same time it didn't outweigh the rest. The details were also not too bad, and although they also could have been better, I have seen much worse.
Following the shocking conclusion to last issue I was happy that Lemire took some time to develop this, as it would have been a bit unrealistic if the answer was presented straight away. I also liked that this kept me curious, and interested about what may have happened to Zatanna, and Tim. The issue would continue to do this, as we didn't actually find out what happened to them, but the sequence involving Constantine and Peril didn't half speculate. The dialogue in this sequence was also very interesting, and I liked how it was very technical without being confusing. The dialogue I liked the most was from Constantine as we get to see concern from him, something you don't see a lot of, and although he still doesn't show the whole of his feelings, you can see that he has them.
The story however would have been very dull if this is what the issue was filled with, so that's were the House of Mystery comes in. The addition of the House of Mystery added much more interest to this issue, but at the same time it also made it fun. Although I know that the development is key, and without the sequence with Constantine and Peril trying to find Zatanna and Tim that the development would be slowed to a halt, but at the same time a comic needs excitement, and this is what we get. The House of Mystery was the thing that interested me the most way back in issue 10, and I've enjoyed seeing it since, but we've still not had any development to the mystery of the house that was said to move around, but we did now. The rooms were fantastic, with each one feeling like something out of a novel, or B list horror movie, and I really enjoyed it. I also liked that this gave Lemire a chance to get creative, as he was able to have small unique sequences that were exciting, but due to the nature of the house it wasn't upsetting when they ended, and this was overall a great thing. There was one room in particular that interested me, but I won't mention it as it contains spoilers, all I will say to those who've read it, is that it's the room that shocks Orchid.
The characteristics of Frankenstein, Amethyst, and even Orchid was shown more in this issue, and although this wouldn't necessarily be brilliant for someone that's followed the characters (Frankenstein in Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E., Amethyst in Sword of Sorcery, and Orchid from pre-New 52) for someone like me it was interesting. Although they made brilliant additions in Justice League Dark Annual #1, we didn't actually get to see much of Frankenstein, or Amethyst's characteristics, and Orchid has always been a mystery, so seeing them put in a situation like this was interesting. It was however Frankenstein and Amethyst that interested me most, as Amethyst seems a very timid character, and Frankenstein is nothing but the gentleman, and these aren't what I'd have expected from two characters that mainly attack using swords. I did however also like that Frankenstein is actually a much more deeper character than you would think, and actually seems more emotional, and free thinking than most other characters, and very different from the one I read in the Mary Shelley novel. Orchid did however remain a mystery, but it was interesting to see how she coped in a new environment, and it was also interesting to see her shocked.
Final Verdict
Although not as good as the other issues in this series, this was still a very good issue, and Lemire did a brilliant job of developing the shocking conclusion to the War for the Books of Magic, as well as giving us something fun, and unique. I'd still recommend this issue, as it shows how good a series this is when this is the worst issue I've read.
Rating: 4/5
