Fantastic Universes

"Archie Meets Batman '66" Writers: Jeff Parker & Michael Moreci
Artists: Dan Parent & J. Bone
Colour Artist: Kelly Fitzpatrick
Letterer: Jack Morelli
Direct Market Cover Artist: Michael Allred

Review by John Hammond 
When I was offered the opportunity to write about this comic for Fantastic Universes, it was one I could not say no to.

I will admit firstly that I have never read an Archie comic before and, as such, have no knowledge of the character or the world of Riverdale.

Batman '66 however is a completely different story.

The series was, no... is, something that I have always loved. It has such charm, it's colourful and it is a whole lotta fun. Because of all this, it's also a show that lends itself very well to the comic book format.
1966 Forever The Batman '66 comic book was a very welcome release a few years back and this series, along with the two recent animated features, Return of the Caped Crusaders and Batman vs Two-Face, prove that the show's…

“I am Bane” Writers: James Stoteraux & Chad Fiveash Director: Kenneth Fink Starring: Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, David Mazouz, Sean Pertwee, Robin Lord Taylor, Cory Michael Smith, Erin Richards, Morena Baccarin, B.D. Wong, Jaime Murray and John Bedford Lloyd Review by Steve J. Ray It’s finally happened; Bane is here! After his introduction in episode five “Peña Dura” and his defeat at the hands of Jim Gordon, Eduardo Dorrance is back. To say that he’s slightly miffed may be a gross understatement, but he’s nowhere as annoyed as his employer, General “Walker.” Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves
After the crime against entertainment that was the script for “The Trial Of Jim Gordon” the writing, and just about everything else, is back on point this week. The introduction of Bane, Barbara’s birthing blues, and all the related action are brilliantly acted and directed. Erin Richards and Morena Baccarin make a formidable duo, and seeing them face Oswald, Edward and an army of henchmen was grea…

"Time Bomb"


Director: Rob Greenlea Writers: Kristen Kim & Sterling Gates Starring: Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Hartley Sawyer, Danielle Panabaker, Jesse L. Martin, Tom Cavanagh, Carlos Valdes, Danielle Nicolet, Chris Klein, Sarah Carter, Victoria Park, Malia Baker & Chris Shields Review by Steve J. Ray My old Grandad used to tell me that, at the end of the day, a liar is easier to catch than a man with one leg. In this episode of The Flash, secrets are revealed, liars are caught out and families are torn asunder. Yep, from the beginning of the season secrets and lies have been ticking, like the proverbial time bomb… this week things finally go, “BOOM!” Deadlier Than The MaleNora’s trip into the mind of Grace Gibbons in “Memorabilia” revealed a new and deadlier version of Cicada. Last week the nightmare was made Flesh, as an adult Grace from the future was revealed as the terrifying successor to her uncle. Sarah Carter is a scarier, more powerful, …

Writers: Adam Glass and Christopher Priest
Artist: Bernard Chang
Color Artist: Marcelo Maiolo
Letterer: Rob Leigh Review by Steve J. Ray Summary“The Terminus Agenda” – Part One. I’ve been looking forward to this story for a looooong time. Deathstroke and the Teen Titans have a history that goes back over half of my lifetime, so getting a crossover featuring DC Comics’ greatest assassin, and the latest iteration of their ultimate teen super-team has me pumped. Yeah, baby. Let the fireworks begin! PositivesSo, so many. Adam Glass and Christopher Priest are two incredibly talented writers. Glass has made me fall in love with characters that have only been around for the last few months – his creations – as much as I already adored the core team. He’s made me feel that D’Jinn, Roundhouse and Crush deserve to be Teen Titans, just as much as Robin, Red Arrow and Kid-Flash do. Priest has been writing comics gold since I was a teen, if not longer. His work on Deathstroke is what makes that book a …

Writers: Scott Lobdell and Zack Kaplan
Artist: Travis Moore
Color Artist: Tamra Bonvillain
Letterer: AndWorld Design Review by Steve J. Ray Summary“Corrosion Of The Corrupted.” He may not have his costume, but Mr. Grayson is most definitely back in the fight. After saving Bludhaven from Scarecrow in issue #56 Ric has decided to join Detective Sapienza and his gang of Nightwings. Sapienza thinks that this is down to him, but, though Ric may not remember being Dick Grayson the crime-fighter, his former self lives large within him. PositivesThis series has really had a rough time of it in recent months. First, writer Benjamin Percy left the series prematurely, then Nightwing’s battle with amnesia (possibly) cost him a few readers. Scriptwriter Fabian Nicieza left after issue #56 and his proposed replacement, the talented Eric Esquivel, left DC Comics under a cloud of controversy. Leading us to a new co-writer, Zack Kaplan, being dropped into deep water. The good news is that this boy can swim…

Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Tim Sale
Color Artist: Gregory Wright
Letterer: Richard Starkings

Review by Eric Lee

Bruce Wayne is under Poison Ivy's thrall, while the Falcone crime family adds a new, deadly member to its ranks.

Let's look at the cover first. While it is also a great study of light and shadow, that is not the main feature. It shows Poison Ivy  wearing a Batman necklace, symbolising that she has a him under her control. Furthermore, her hair is made up of little  clover leaves and shamrocks, to indicate the St. Patrick's Day holiday. In a clever, subtle way, the cover demonstrates this issue's micro-theme of "Not everything is as it appears".
Not Everything Is As it AppearsThe very first sequence of the comic demonstrates this theme. We see the Gotham Penitentiary guards escort and release an unseen prisoner. Based on the giant silhouette and foreboding eyes, readers are expecting to see a monstrous figure. However, it is revealed to be Roman Falcone'…