Secret History of the Authority: Jenny Sparks (GN)
By Mark Millar
Art by John McCrea and James Hodgkins
Rating: 8/10
Though this book is not critical to the timeline of the Authority, it provides and interesting look into the (wonderful) character of Jenny Sparks. It follows Jenny through her first meeting with each member of the Authority and her life through the twentieth century.
The best issues were the Engineer, #4 (an extremely interesting a nuanced look at Hitler) and Jack Hwksmoor by far. Hawksmoor is a character we never learn much of, and this provided much needed background.
The Engineer's issue had an extremely thought provoking plot, but ultimately #4 stood above all the rest, which is sad since it didn't deal with a single other member of the Authority. This brings me to by greatest criticism, which is none of the other characters were given enough attention to feel like anything more than props next to Jenny. The Doctor's issue was mediocre, with only one good scene. Apollo and Midnighter's was flat out boring, and fell prey to the trap of portraying the pair without any personality other than their relationship.
The art, overall, held up the story well. It was the type to stand back and let the plot take over, which worked well in my opinion. Very clean, but not showy. I hadn't encountered either of the artists before this book, and it reminded me a lot of Chris Sprouse's work on The Return of Bruce Wayne.
Overall, a nice book if you're interested in the Authority, but not exceptional.
~Caro
Showing posts with label graphic novel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label graphic novel. Show all posts
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Monday, December 7, 2009
JSA: The Liberty Files (yes its Batman)
JSA: The Liberty Files (Graphic Novel)
By Dan Jolley
Art by Tony Harris
Rating: 9/10 (best so far)
This is an Elseworlds tale, where all the superheroes come together during WWII instead of modern time. The main character is Batman (called The Bat, a secret agent for the allied forces). He and two other heroes (The Clock, or Hourman, and The Owl, or Dr. Midnite) infiltrate Hitler's forces to take down the new super-Nazi--a brainwashed Martian Manhunter. On the way they encounter versions of the Joker, Scarecrow, and others.
Later (1948) Batman has gone back to protecting Gotham City, but he is called in to investigate agents being killed in Berlin and a Soviet nuclear device. He and the Clock reunite and also work with Superman (but not who you think). These mysteries lead to a fabulous twist ending.
Personally, I loved this. I'm not really an Elseworlds fan, but this was fantastically written with a great plot and lots of mystery. And Batman saves the world. Twice. what could be better?
The art wasn't as fabulous as the story, but it was decent. There were too many lines on all the faces, and Bruce Wayne didn't really look like I thought he should. He and Clark Kent looked very, very similar. It wasn't bad, per say, just not really my cup if tea.
By Dan Jolley
Art by Tony Harris
Rating: 9/10 (best so far)
This is an Elseworlds tale, where all the superheroes come together during WWII instead of modern time. The main character is Batman (called The Bat, a secret agent for the allied forces). He and two other heroes (The Clock, or Hourman, and The Owl, or Dr. Midnite) infiltrate Hitler's forces to take down the new super-Nazi--a brainwashed Martian Manhunter. On the way they encounter versions of the Joker, Scarecrow, and others.
Later (1948) Batman has gone back to protecting Gotham City, but he is called in to investigate agents being killed in Berlin and a Soviet nuclear device. He and the Clock reunite and also work with Superman (but not who you think). These mysteries lead to a fabulous twist ending.
Personally, I loved this. I'm not really an Elseworlds fan, but this was fantastically written with a great plot and lots of mystery. And Batman saves the world. Twice. what could be better?
The art wasn't as fabulous as the story, but it was decent. There were too many lines on all the faces, and Bruce Wayne didn't really look like I thought he should. He and Clark Kent looked very, very similar. It wasn't bad, per say, just not really my cup if tea.
You should most definitely read this.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Batman: Haunted Gotham (Graphic Novel)
Batman: Haunted Gotham
By Doug Moench
Art by Kelley Jones
Rating: 3/10
In this tale, Gotham is mystically enclosed by an invisible barrier. Imps, magic and demons are real. The Waynes have trained their son, Bruce, to be fight against the hell-forces that are going to destroy the city. They die when he is an adult, and he dons the Batman costume to fight the dark magic. (It's really alien giant serpents.)
This was just too dang weird for me. There was little resemblance to the original characters except for the names and a sketchy history. The Waynes actually became ghosts, and then Bruce killed them to keep them from the demons, who would eat their souls.
The Joker was a patchwork Frankenstein with the head of Thomas Wayne. And there were giant-magic-human-eating serpents from outer space who transformed a lonely boy into what was supposedly Killer Croc, I guess. Need I say more?
Skip this. Just do not subject yourself to it.
*Deep breath*
I have two better notes for today:
First, I would like to thank DYlogger for writing about this blog on the Time Wasters blog (www.timewasters2009.blogspot.com It is cool). It's great to hear that people enjoy this blog. Frankly, I just started it because I got sick of being called a nerd (I am a geek, thank you very much).
Also, you should read The Umbrella Academy if you haven't already. It isn't Batman related or even in the DCU, but it is one of the best series I have read. Ever. And the covers are absolutely beautiful.
By Doug Moench
Art by Kelley Jones
Rating: 3/10
In this tale, Gotham is mystically enclosed by an invisible barrier. Imps, magic and demons are real. The Waynes have trained their son, Bruce, to be fight against the hell-forces that are going to destroy the city. They die when he is an adult, and he dons the Batman costume to fight the dark magic. (It's really alien giant serpents.)
This was just too dang weird for me. There was little resemblance to the original characters except for the names and a sketchy history. The Waynes actually became ghosts, and then Bruce killed them to keep them from the demons, who would eat their souls.
The Joker was a patchwork Frankenstein with the head of Thomas Wayne. And there were giant-magic-human-eating serpents from outer space who transformed a lonely boy into what was supposedly Killer Croc, I guess. Need I say more?
Skip this. Just do not subject yourself to it.
*Deep breath*
I have two better notes for today:
First, I would like to thank DYlogger for writing about this blog on the Time Wasters blog (www.timewasters2009.blogspot.com It is cool). It's great to hear that people enjoy this blog. Frankly, I just started it because I got sick of being called a nerd (I am a geek, thank you very much).
Also, you should read The Umbrella Academy if you haven't already. It isn't Batman related or even in the DCU, but it is one of the best series I have read. Ever. And the covers are absolutely beautiful.