Posts

Review: Batman: Curse Of The White Knight #8

Image
"Batman: Curse Of The White Knight" - Book Eight Writer and Artist: Sean Murphy
Color Artist: Matt Hollingsworth
Letterer: AndWorld DesignReview by Steve J. RayBatman: Curse Of The White Knight #8, the conclusion of Sean Murphy’s mini-series, does what any great comic should, with pages full of action, emotion and revelations. I’ve been both looking forward to and dreading this finale in equal measure, because I was desperate to find out how it would all end, whilst wishing it didn’t have to. Over the last seven issues (and the wonderful Mr Freeze one-shot), Murphy and his collaborators, color artist Matt Hollingsworth and letterer AndWorld Design, have been creating a series that doesn’t look or read like anything else on the shelves. Some cynics may think that this is just another Batman book, and in many ways they’re right. Where it really counts though, they couldn’t be more wrong. It’s astonishing to me how clearly and deeply Sean Gordon Murphy loves Batman. His version of …
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Justice League Dark #21

Image
“The Parliaments Of Life” – Part Two Writers: Ram V and James Tynion IV
Artists: Álvaro Martínez Bueno and Raül Fernandez
Color Artist: June Chung
Letterer: Rob LeighReview by Steve J. RayFans who loved the art of Stephen Bissette and John Totleben will pick up Justice League Dark #21, look at the first two pages and feel like they’ve been taken back in time. This book has evoked moments of skin tingling horror and nervous-stomach fear since its relaunch, not least by homaging the legendary Swamp Thing tales of the 1980s. That series, in my humble opinion, was the greatest horror comic ever made, and this one could be its spiritual offspring, or possibly even a worthy successor. There are moments in this issue where writers Ram V and James Tynion IV feel like they’re running their icy fingers down my spine. Even when they provide welcome moments of blistering action, or Freddie Mercury related humor, one can feel the tension building and the terror rising until the sublime, wholly expecte…
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Supergirl #40

Image
"I'm The Bad Buy" - Finale Writer: Jody Houser
Artists: Rachael Stott
Color Artist: Cris Peter
Letterer: Tom NapolitanoReview by Adam Ray SummaryThe epic clash between Supergirl and Wonder Woman comes to its dramatic conclusion. It’s equal parts battle of wits and battle of fists. Just as we think we’re getting through to her, Supergirl takes efforts to try and clean the influence of The Batman Who Laughs, with unexpected results. This leaves us to wonder what else could possibly happen… PositivesThe issue has kept up with the intense action the current arc has been made of, with DCs most powerful ladies in the fight of their lives. We also see the excellent motivation and psychological warfare on show here. The two’s motives are so clear, and slowly seeing one character’s frame change is satisfying and unexpected in a title known for its action. Negatives
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Detective Comics #1021

Image
“Ugly Heart” - Part Two Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Artists: Brad Walker and Andrew Hennessy
Color Artist: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Rob LeighReview by Steve J. RayDetective Comics #1021 has built on the brilliant issue #1020, and “Ugly Heart” is rapidly becoming one of my favorite Two-Face stories ever. Peter J. Tomasi has managed to skew Harvey’s multiple personalities even further, so much so that we actively see Harvey seek Batman out to help him, while Two-Face does his best to scupper his alter-ego’s plans. We also get to see that the two sides of Dent’s personalities are even at a juncture where they’re keeping secrets from each other. This is deep, rich and extremely powerful storytelling. Then we get Two-Face’s new “disciples”. During his time as Gotham’s D.A. Harvey Dent proved to be a powerful, charismatic and influential leader, so seeing the dark side of his soul exhibit those same traits is both realistic and believable. It’s also downright terrifying. This army of zealots has noth…
Post a Comment
Read more