The title is self explanatory. "Batman and Sons" is a fan-created webcomic that just happens to be hilarious.
http://batmanandsons.blogspot.com/
Read and enjoy (if you click on the comics they get bigger).
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Quick Reviews
Short reviews of the six comics I bought this week, all semi-Batman related.
JLA: Cry for Justice. #1, #2
Rating: 7.5/10
It's always nice to see Hal Jordan and Green Arrow together. They're just funny. Supposedly Batwoman (yippee) is showing up later.
Gotham City Sirens #2
Rating: 8/10
Definitely not what I was expecting, but better. Selina's a good liar, and the Talia connection is interesting. I wish there was more in this issue, though. But Hush kidnapping Harley? Great.
Batgirl #1
Rating: 9.5/10
Yes! Stephanie Brown takes her rightful role as a member of the Batfamily. They packed a lot into this issue, and it totally works. The only thing I didn't like is that Barbra Gordon's thought boxes are green. I never thought of her having a defined color, but green?
Titans #16
Rating: 6.5/10
This is where the "Starfire kissing Batman" picture came from, but unfortunately it was a dream. I don't think Starfire will be around much longer.
Streets of Gotham #3
Rating: 8/10
Tommy Elliot is a good villain. I'll give him that. A very though-provoking issue. He's got Dick and Damian stuck. ("A nice middle finger at the Wayne legacy" great line) There's a cool shot of a bunch of heroes in the Elliot manor.
JLA: Cry for Justice. #1, #2
Rating: 7.5/10
It's always nice to see Hal Jordan and Green Arrow together. They're just funny. Supposedly Batwoman (yippee) is showing up later.
Gotham City Sirens #2
Rating: 8/10
Definitely not what I was expecting, but better. Selina's a good liar, and the Talia connection is interesting. I wish there was more in this issue, though. But Hush kidnapping Harley? Great.
Batgirl #1
Rating: 9.5/10
Yes! Stephanie Brown takes her rightful role as a member of the Batfamily. They packed a lot into this issue, and it totally works. The only thing I didn't like is that Barbra Gordon's thought boxes are green. I never thought of her having a defined color, but green?
Titans #16
Rating: 6.5/10
This is where the "Starfire kissing Batman" picture came from, but unfortunately it was a dream. I don't think Starfire will be around much longer.
Streets of Gotham #3
Rating: 8/10
Tommy Elliot is a good villain. I'll give him that. A very though-provoking issue. He's got Dick and Damian stuck. ("A nice middle finger at the Wayne legacy" great line) There's a cool shot of a bunch of heroes in the Elliot manor.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Boxes Vs. Bubbles
Maybe I'm the only one insane enough to notice this, but thought bubbles have died out, and have been replaced by boxes. I think it happened sometime early-80's, when the comics industry was trying to get away from the 60's silly-ness. Should they have?
1. Adds immediacy
2. Easy to tell who's talking
Cons
1. can overload the panel
2. yeah, they are kinda silly looking
3. you don't always want to know every thought.
4. Sometimes what they say is obvious (The Joker!)
Thought Boxes
Pros
1. Doesn't overwhelm page
2. Cleaner looking
3. Easier to tell backstory
4.Multiple characters can be talking in the same panel if the colors are different.
Cons
1. You have to tell who's talking by the color of the box
2. sometimes you don't notice them
3. sometimes what they say is obvious (The Joker!)
Bubbles: 0
Boxes: 1
Thought Bubbles
Pros 1. Adds immediacy
2. Easy to tell who's talking
Cons
1. can overload the panel
2. yeah, they are kinda silly looking
3. you don't always want to know every thought.
4. Sometimes what they say is obvious (The Joker!)
Thought Boxes
Pros
1. Doesn't overwhelm page
2. Cleaner looking
3. Easier to tell backstory
4.Multiple characters can be talking in the same panel if the colors are different.
Cons
1. You have to tell who's talking by the color of the box
2. sometimes you don't notice them
3. sometimes what they say is obvious (The Joker!)
Bubbles: 0
Boxes: 1
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Geekblips Verification
Disregard this post.
Geekblips site (http://geekblips.dailyradar.com/) has added this blog to it's site, so now I'm verifying it.
Code: 9617993143
Geekblips site (http://geekblips.dailyradar.com/) has added this blog to it's site, so now I'm verifying it.
Code: 9617993143
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Blackest Night: Batman #1
Blackest Night: Batman #1
By Peter Tomasi
Art by Arion Syaf, John Dell, and Vicente Cifuentes
Rating: a surprising 8/10
For those who aren't reading the "Blackest Night" arc, here's a brief summary:
The Green Lantern Abin Sur (Hal Jordan's predeccesor) told of a prophecy called Blackest Night where other colors of rings would emerge, do battle, and the universe would be extinguished. No one believed him, and now those other rings are beginning to be found. The colors are:
Green=Willpower
Yellow=Fear
Red=Rage
Orange=Avarice
Blue=Hope
Indigo=Compassion
Violet=Love
Black=Death
A villain called the Black Hand is chosen to be the herald of the black power rings. These rings are created and they seek out deceased superheroes, supervillians, and the heroes' dead family (including Jack and Janet Drake) to resurrected as the Black Corps. Black Hand goes to Bruce Wayne's grave, reaches into the ground, and pulls out a skull, saying "This is the one." He carries it with him, but never resurrects the body.
These black lanterns combat and kill superheroes (including Hawkman and Tempest) resurrecting them as more corps.
Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne go to the Wayne's grave site. They take Thomas and Martha's bodies back to the new batcave for safekeeping. This is where Blackest Night: Batman picks up.
Deadman comes and takes possession of both Dick and Damian, telling them of what is happening. They agree to help him combat it. We also see Jake and Janet Drake rise, as well as Dick's parents.
All in all, this was way better than I was expecting. It had perhaps the best post-RIP Damian writing I'd read. Major Kudos to Tomasi for that. It was a lot of explanation and story-setting-up, but that's why its 8/10 and not 9/10. I hope that next issue, when they finally start the fighting.
The other thing that I liked a lit about this story was that it brought the Batman world together with my second favorite character(s), Green Lantern. And it is done very well.
The art on this story is pretty good. Not Jim Lee, but solid. There's one scene where Deadman (in Damian's body) does this backflip onto a headstone that is illustrated very well, and its definitely in the top three panels of this issue.
By Peter Tomasi
Art by Arion Syaf, John Dell, and Vicente Cifuentes
Rating: a surprising 8/10
For those who aren't reading the "Blackest Night" arc, here's a brief summary:
The Green Lantern Abin Sur (Hal Jordan's predeccesor) told of a prophecy called Blackest Night where other colors of rings would emerge, do battle, and the universe would be extinguished. No one believed him, and now those other rings are beginning to be found. The colors are:
Green=Willpower
Yellow=Fear
Red=Rage
Orange=Avarice
Blue=Hope
Indigo=Compassion
Violet=Love
Black=Death
A villain called the Black Hand is chosen to be the herald of the black power rings. These rings are created and they seek out deceased superheroes, supervillians, and the heroes' dead family (including Jack and Janet Drake) to resurrected as the Black Corps. Black Hand goes to Bruce Wayne's grave, reaches into the ground, and pulls out a skull, saying "This is the one." He carries it with him, but never resurrects the body.
These black lanterns combat and kill superheroes (including Hawkman and Tempest) resurrecting them as more corps.
Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne go to the Wayne's grave site. They take Thomas and Martha's bodies back to the new batcave for safekeeping. This is where Blackest Night: Batman picks up.
Deadman comes and takes possession of both Dick and Damian, telling them of what is happening. They agree to help him combat it. We also see Jake and Janet Drake rise, as well as Dick's parents.
All in all, this was way better than I was expecting. It had perhaps the best post-RIP Damian writing I'd read. Major Kudos to Tomasi for that. It was a lot of explanation and story-setting-up, but that's why its 8/10 and not 9/10. I hope that next issue, when they finally start the fighting.
The other thing that I liked a lit about this story was that it brought the Batman world together with my second favorite character(s), Green Lantern. And it is done very well.
The art on this story is pretty good. Not Jim Lee, but solid. There's one scene where Deadman (in Damian's body) does this backflip onto a headstone that is illustrated very well, and its definitely in the top three panels of this issue.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
JLA/JLU Batman Episodes
Injustice for All (2 pt, JLA):
The basic plot is that Lex Luthor starts an Injustice Gang and The JLA takes him down. Batman is featured in this episode.
--Rating: 7.5/10
--Although this is a Batman centric episode (and therefore rocks), he comes off almost weak-looking in comparison to everyone else. First he's poisoned, then the Joker manages to sneak up on him, hit him with a bag of bricks, and capture him. In episode 2, he redeems himself by making it seem like he planned it all. There's a fabulous scene where he manipulates Cheetah into alerting the JLA that there's a bomb on the Watchtower.
Twilight (2 pt, JLA)
Plot: Darksied comes to the Watchtower asking for help because Brainiac is attacking Apokolips. It's of course a ploy, and the JLA has to take down both villians.
--Rating: 9/10
--Featured in this episode is how Batman and Superman interact and it came off perfectly.There's a scene where Batman reads Superman the riot act about not wanting to help Darkseid, and its wonderful. Also, the last ten minutes of the storyline are all almost exclusively Superman/Batman. The only downside to this is an overdone fight scene between three members of the JLA and Brainiac.
This Little Piggy (1 pt, JLU)
Plot: Wonder Woman (who Batman is in a romantic relationship with) is turned into a pig by Circe and Batman has to get her turned back.
--Rating: 5.5/10
--WONDER WOMAN?! No...just no. I didn't like it when they did it in the comics, I don't like it here. The basic story is pretty good, but Batman comes off very out of character. And (spolier alert here) he SINGS. "Am I Blue", to be exact. In front of a room full of people.
A Better World (2 pt, JLA)
Plot: In parallel universe, the JLA took over the world, convinced they could wipe out injustice and in the process became dictators. That universe's Batman built a portal to see another dimensions, and found the regular universe. They captured the real heroes and imprisoned them in the other world so they could bring "justice" to this one.
--Rating: 9.5/10
--Wow. This was just a great episode. Superman kills Luthor (AU Superman), Batman talks to Batman (fabulous scene, that one), and the Justice League explores Arkham Asylum. To tell more would spoil the plot. You must see this episode, even if you never watch another.
For The Man Who Has Everything (1 pt, JLU)
Plot: Batman and Wonder Woman go to the Fortress of Solitude for Superman's birthday, and end up battling Mongul.
--Rating: 8/10
--This is a really good episode, just for the fact that it shows Batman can hold his own against these superpowered menaces. It spends a little too long in Superman's fantasy world (brought on by the Black Mercy), but I guess I feel that way because I'm not a Superman fan. There's also some nice dialouge between Batman and Wonder Woman at the beginning.
The basic plot is that Lex Luthor starts an Injustice Gang and The JLA takes him down. Batman is featured in this episode.
--Rating: 7.5/10
--Although this is a Batman centric episode (and therefore rocks), he comes off almost weak-looking in comparison to everyone else. First he's poisoned, then the Joker manages to sneak up on him, hit him with a bag of bricks, and capture him. In episode 2, he redeems himself by making it seem like he planned it all. There's a fabulous scene where he manipulates Cheetah into alerting the JLA that there's a bomb on the Watchtower.
Twilight (2 pt, JLA)
Plot: Darksied comes to the Watchtower asking for help because Brainiac is attacking Apokolips. It's of course a ploy, and the JLA has to take down both villians.
--Rating: 9/10
--Featured in this episode is how Batman and Superman interact and it came off perfectly.There's a scene where Batman reads Superman the riot act about not wanting to help Darkseid, and its wonderful. Also, the last ten minutes of the storyline are all almost exclusively Superman/Batman. The only downside to this is an overdone fight scene between three members of the JLA and Brainiac.
This Little Piggy (1 pt, JLU)
Plot: Wonder Woman (who Batman is in a romantic relationship with) is turned into a pig by Circe and Batman has to get her turned back.
--Rating: 5.5/10
--WONDER WOMAN?! No...just no. I didn't like it when they did it in the comics, I don't like it here. The basic story is pretty good, but Batman comes off very out of character. And (spolier alert here) he SINGS. "Am I Blue", to be exact. In front of a room full of people.
A Better World (2 pt, JLA)
Plot: In parallel universe, the JLA took over the world, convinced they could wipe out injustice and in the process became dictators. That universe's Batman built a portal to see another dimensions, and found the regular universe. They captured the real heroes and imprisoned them in the other world so they could bring "justice" to this one.
--Rating: 9.5/10
--Wow. This was just a great episode. Superman kills Luthor (AU Superman), Batman talks to Batman (fabulous scene, that one), and the Justice League explores Arkham Asylum. To tell more would spoil the plot. You must see this episode, even if you never watch another.
For The Man Who Has Everything (1 pt, JLU)
Plot: Batman and Wonder Woman go to the Fortress of Solitude for Superman's birthday, and end up battling Mongul.
--Rating: 8/10
--This is a really good episode, just for the fact that it shows Batman can hold his own against these superpowered menaces. It spends a little too long in Superman's fantasy world (brought on by the Black Mercy), but I guess I feel that way because I'm not a Superman fan. There's also some nice dialouge between Batman and Wonder Woman at the beginning.
Friday, August 7, 2009
A Quick Note
This blog is the second listing when you google and ask-dot-com-search the phrase "batman world blog" minus the quotations. I think its because I mentioned the SDCC, Superman/Batman, and www.thebatmanuniverse.net (which you should still go to and listen to, its awesome) all in the same post. That's the post the popped up, anyhow.
Back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Five Worst Bat-Characters, and then Jason
Before I start this post, I would like to tell anyone who lives under a rock that John Hughes is dead at age 58. He wrote some of the best movies ever, notably Ferris Bueller's Day Off, which is tied for Awesomest Movie (with The Dark Knight). Rest in peace, John.
Now then, for a not so peaceful topic: the five worst Bat-characters.
#5--Bat-mite. Why? No one can seem to write him well. He was meant to be sort of the bumbling, trying-to-be-helpful type (that right there annoys me), but has morphed into a Mr. Mxyzptlk wannabe. He only exists to be an metaphysical pest, popping up now and then to screw around when the writers don;t know where to go next. He's a useless character really, recently resurrected by our dear Mr. Morrison, and better left forgotten.
#4--Bruce Wayne, Playboy Edition. Yes, he counts as a separate character. I really wish we would see less of Playboy Bruce slipping out of parties after seeing the bat-signal through a conveniently placed window. Honestly, how many times have we seen that? Does every single comic need to include it? I'd rather have a page of mediocre dialogue between Alfred and Damian than one of Bruce making yet another bad excuse about working late. Plus, he's just so shallow.
#3--Black Glove--sorry, Grant, but I'm picking on you again. I liked the idea for RIP, I really did, but I couldn't stand the villain. For one, he wasn't really explained ever. And two, it was just too nicely done. How many times have people tried to destroy Bruce's sanity? Too many to count. so this guy just jumps in and succeeds? no. No way. Plus, when we finally see The Black Glove, he's no one interesting, just another incoherent cackling maniac.
#2--Damian Wayne. As if he even deserves to be called (or even truly has the name of) Wayne. This spoiled little brat needs a good spanking and an even better writer. So far, he's so one-sided it makes me gag. The only thing he can do is smart off and try to best Alfred. He's another character who's just there to give the other's something to talk about. I really believe he has potential, though, if only someone would come along and show that there's actually a little boy beneath that cliched, faux-badass routine.
And finally...
#1--Batwoman I hate her. I'm sorry, but I do. I had high hopes for the character when she first appeared, but unfortunately she's become just another highly-mocked parody of a person. Come on, DC, people actually have lives beyond their choice of dates. Do you really need to reiterate the fact that she's a lesbian every. other. Freakin. PANEL? Does she exist beyond that fact, or does she just go into some sort of stasis chamber whenever she isn't making out or wearing the costume? I have a sneaking suspicion that they put Kate into the comics just to say "Look! Look! We're diverse!" And there isn't anything worse than diversity for diversity's sake. It just makes it a bad joke.
Now then, to the obvious question: Why not Jason Todd?
Okay, I'm only going to say this once.
I LIKE JASON TODD.
He's just different. And, when written right, is a wild card. Both good and bad or either or none at all. He plays outside the moral code that gives a hint of predictability to the rest of the Batman family. I truly, truly believe that, if given the chance, he could be one of the greatest characters. Especially so if he isn't quite so angst, and becomes sort of an on-and-off character who may help you and may hurt you. Plus, now I really want to know what his secret is (see Battle for the Cowl #3 if you don't know what I'm talking about).
Next Up:
I'm thinking maybe a review of some of the Batman-centric Justice League Adventures and Justice League Unlimited episodes. That was a JLA cartoon on in the late nineties to early 2ooo's. It was an awesome series and had some really adult (not un-kid-friendly, but just grown-up and complex) storylines. Sometimes they portrayed Batman extremely well, sometimes they missed the mark. I think I'll do five episodes to start out. If you haven't seen the series, you need to get it from the library, a friend, where ever. I even like it better (the Batman episodes, at least) then Batman: The Animated Series, though it's not as well-known.
Now then, for a not so peaceful topic: the five worst Bat-characters.
#5--Bat-mite. Why? No one can seem to write him well. He was meant to be sort of the bumbling, trying-to-be-helpful type (that right there annoys me), but has morphed into a Mr. Mxyzptlk wannabe. He only exists to be an metaphysical pest, popping up now and then to screw around when the writers don;t know where to go next. He's a useless character really, recently resurrected by our dear Mr. Morrison, and better left forgotten.
#4--Bruce Wayne, Playboy Edition. Yes, he counts as a separate character. I really wish we would see less of Playboy Bruce slipping out of parties after seeing the bat-signal through a conveniently placed window. Honestly, how many times have we seen that? Does every single comic need to include it? I'd rather have a page of mediocre dialogue between Alfred and Damian than one of Bruce making yet another bad excuse about working late. Plus, he's just so shallow.
#3--Black Glove--sorry, Grant, but I'm picking on you again. I liked the idea for RIP, I really did, but I couldn't stand the villain. For one, he wasn't really explained ever. And two, it was just too nicely done. How many times have people tried to destroy Bruce's sanity? Too many to count. so this guy just jumps in and succeeds? no. No way. Plus, when we finally see The Black Glove, he's no one interesting, just another incoherent cackling maniac.
#2--Damian Wayne. As if he even deserves to be called (or even truly has the name of) Wayne. This spoiled little brat needs a good spanking and an even better writer. So far, he's so one-sided it makes me gag. The only thing he can do is smart off and try to best Alfred. He's another character who's just there to give the other's something to talk about. I really believe he has potential, though, if only someone would come along and show that there's actually a little boy beneath that cliched, faux-badass routine.
And finally...
#1--Batwoman I hate her. I'm sorry, but I do. I had high hopes for the character when she first appeared, but unfortunately she's become just another highly-mocked parody of a person. Come on, DC, people actually have lives beyond their choice of dates. Do you really need to reiterate the fact that she's a lesbian every. other. Freakin. PANEL? Does she exist beyond that fact, or does she just go into some sort of stasis chamber whenever she isn't making out or wearing the costume? I have a sneaking suspicion that they put Kate into the comics just to say "Look! Look! We're diverse!" And there isn't anything worse than diversity for diversity's sake. It just makes it a bad joke.
Now then, to the obvious question: Why not Jason Todd?
Okay, I'm only going to say this once.
I LIKE JASON TODD.
He's just different. And, when written right, is a wild card. Both good and bad or either or none at all. He plays outside the moral code that gives a hint of predictability to the rest of the Batman family. I truly, truly believe that, if given the chance, he could be one of the greatest characters. Especially so if he isn't quite so angst, and becomes sort of an on-and-off character who may help you and may hurt you. Plus, now I really want to know what his secret is (see Battle for the Cowl #3 if you don't know what I'm talking about).
Next Up:
I'm thinking maybe a review of some of the Batman-centric Justice League Adventures and Justice League Unlimited episodes. That was a JLA cartoon on in the late nineties to early 2ooo's. It was an awesome series and had some really adult (not un-kid-friendly, but just grown-up and complex) storylines. Sometimes they portrayed Batman extremely well, sometimes they missed the mark. I think I'll do five episodes to start out. If you haven't seen the series, you need to get it from the library, a friend, where ever. I even like it better (the Batman episodes, at least) then Batman: The Animated Series, though it's not as well-known.