BATMAN INCORPORATED #1

There are now, in the "new" DC, five monthly Batman books. Is that a bad thing? Not really. Batman is their best character. Superman only has two monthly books and they're both not so great. There's also a monthly Catwoman title and a Nightwing title...so technically there are seven Batman books. Why not give Joker a monthly, already?

This, Batman Incorporated #1, is the continuation of Grant Morrison's old Batman, Inc. book. Apparently it's set in the old, forgotten DC universe. It's not as weird as most Morrison books, which is good, and the art by Chris Burnham looks a lot like Frank Quitely, which is also good.

The story now has Talia Al Ghoul putting a bounty on her son, Robin, and some schlub with a goat mask takes him out. Cliffhanger!

I suppose it's saying something about the "new" DC that this is probably the second best Batman book. The best being Batman & Robin, which has heart and had a terrific seven issue storyline that finished up last month featuring Nobody.

*** (out of ****)

Short Reviews 5-2-12

30 DAYS OF NIGHT #7:

The great art of Sam Keith is gone but the story is better; a bad group of vampires descend on L.A. to seemingly take over the world. It's bloody, it's good, albeit nothing special. **1/2 (out of ****)







SPIDER #1:

This was a pulp hero from the 40's. The twist? He kills! Pretty sick stuff here, including a zombie kid that has a bomb collar go off. I liked it. What does that say about me? ***







X-O MANOWAR #1:

Really dull and mostly idiotic. I miss Valiant but perhaps I'm mixing up nostalgia with actual quality. *






 AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #3:

The best issue so far. Brubaker writes it. This book is still way too slow (it's 12 issues...Jesus Christ!). Just infect someone already, Phoenix force. **1/2






ANIMAL MAN #9:

The fans love this. Not sure why. It's depressing and weird. *








 SWAMP THING #9:

The fans also love this. The art is interesting. I'm already sick of The Rot and this storyline. The villain Arcane comes back at the end. I don't even know who that is. **






EARTH 2 #1:

It made no sense to me but I liked it. It's fun, entertaining. The final page is way too silly, though. I guess this is like the Ultimate universe that Marvel has. James Robinson is a fantastic writer, though. Good start. ***








DAREDEVIL #12:

Fluff and slight but a fun issue. Good art by Chris Samnee. **1/2









ACTION COMICS #9:

The best issue yet. Grant Morrison is finally getting bizarre. **1/2








ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #10:

Most of this issue has Miles and his uncle talking...but it's engrossing. **1/2










SUPREME #64:

No more Alan Moore so it's obviously a drop-off. I like the premise, though; an evil Supreme has been unleashed. **1/2







DETECTIVE COMICS #9:

Awful. This is a Night of the Owls cross-over and it feels totally forced. I used to like Tony Daniel. What happened? 1/2*








WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN: ALPHA & OMEGA #5:

This book went on way too long...and what, really, was the point? *









AGE OF APOCALYPSE #3:

Too dark and drab and not exciting or interesting at all. I can't fathom anyone actually enjoying this book. 1/2*








BOYS #66:

This book has really dropped off, although it hasn't been good since, like, issue #6. *