READING THE CLASSICS: BATMAN #616

 Published on June 25th, 2003

    It's pretty crazy that the sequel to this storyline didn't come out until this year. It was popular and a big hit when it came out in 2003. You would think they would want to do a sequel pretty soon after it came out, not 22 years later. And nobody is talking about "Hush 2." The books everyone seems to be talking about these days are the Absolute books from DC and the Ultimate books from Marvel. They're the same thing: alternate universe books. It is kind of amusing that the most popular books from both companies are set in alternate universes. That tells you something about how great the regular books are. 

    While "Hush" is entertaining and pretty to look at, the big problem is that it's so scattershot. Every issue seems to just be showcasing one of Batman's villains, so there's no real cohesion to the story. This issue features Ras Al Ghul and Talia Al Ghul. Batman knows that someone is manipulating everything around him and decides that it's probably Ras Al Ghul since he's rich. Okay. To get to Ras Al Ghul, Batman kidnaps his daughter, Talia. While Batman goes to find Ras, Catwoman keeps an eye on Talia but ends up getting beaten up by Talia's assassin, Lady Shiva. Meanwhile, Harvey Dent shows up in Jim Gordon's bedroom to let him know that he's not Two-Face anymore and he's a good guy now. I mean...way to showcase that you're a good guy...showing up in a dude's bedroom when he's asleep. 

    This is one of the weaker issues of this storyline. While Hush is obviously pretending to be Harvey Dent, we're not supposed to know that yet. And this is part 9 of 12. I feel like we're going to end up with a rushed conclusion since the whole mystery behind Hush hasn't even really been hinted at yet. Oh, well. *1/2

READING THE CLASSICS: BATMAN #615

Published on May 28th, 2003

    Tommy Elliot's funeral opens this issue. As usual, since this storyline is basically Batman's greatest hits, The Riddler shows up. The Riddler's riddle is this: "What is it that has four wheels, costs eleven million dollars, and flies?" The answer is a solid gold garbage truck. First off, that's not a riddle. There's no such thing as a solid gold garbage truck. Also, the way it's written makes it seem like the object is flying, not that it has flies around it. Not that I care, since it's just a stupid comic book, but isn't The Riddler supposed to be the master of riddles? Anyway, the end of this issue also makes little sense. Hush, who's had his head wrapped in bandages throughout the storyline, shows up in The Joker's cell at Arkham (The Joker was arrested for Tommy Elliot's murder). Hush takes off his bandages to reveal that he's Two-Face, but that he's had plastic surgery and is back to just being Harvey Dent. Huh? The big reveal is that Hush is Two-Face? I'm guessing the final issue is going to have Hush just laying out an entire bad-guy revelation while Batman just stands there. The end of the issue also has Batman revealing to Catwoman that he's Bruce Wayne. That seems like it should be a big deal. Is it, though? I kind of thought Tom King's big Bat/Cat deal was something novel at the time, but it turns out it was just another re-hash of bygones. The big takeaway from this issue and this storyline is that, while it's not exactly great, it is entertaining. While I love Scott Snyder's Absolute Batman, which is one of the best comic books being published these days, the actual main Batman book hasn't been very entertaining in a long time. Jim Lee's art in this issue is great as usual but the last three pages look rushed and sloppy. **1/2 

READING THE CLASSICS: BATMAN #614

 

Published on April 30th, 2003

    The cover to this issue is pretty cool. It has Batman choking The Joker in close-up. There isn't much to this issue, though. In the last issue, Batman arrives in an alley to find a dead Thomas Elliot and The Joker with a gun. Assuming The Joker killed Thomas, Bruce's childhood friend, Batman decides to finally kill The Joker after reminiscing about all of the dastardly things The Joker has done. Catwoman attempts to stop Batman, then Gordon, who isn't a cop anymore but still running around with a gun, does stop Batman. Some of the flashback panels are drawn in different styles. There's a few watercolor painted ones and then one that's just a sketch without final colors. At the end of the issue, Hush reveals that The Joker is, in fact, innocent. The final sequence has both Hush, who's standing atop a building, and Thomas Elliot's dead body in the alley in the same frame. That means that Elliot isn't Hush! Or, at least, that's what they want you to think. What...is his dead body a dummy or something absurd? Harley Quinn is also in this issue, swinging a giant, cartoon size mallet at Batman. Harley is really comical in this book. I suppose she's always been like that in the comics, which, to me, plays better in a cartoon, where she was first created. I'm not sure there's been a darker, better version of Harley in a comic book. It's always this dumb, zany, comedic version that's oft-putting. Isn't she supposed to be this regular woman turned murderer? Why is she comedic? It's really too bad Alan Moore never wrote a Batman book with Harley in it. He's probably one of the few that could've cracked the code. And this issue is pretty thin in the grand scheme of things. I guess at this point I'm just waiting for the big finale to finally come. *1/2

READING THE CLASSICS: BATMAN #613

 

Published on March 26th, 2003

    This is part 6 of the 12 part "Hush" storyline. I mentioned previously that this storyline was showcasing the greatest hits of Batman. They've already had Killer Croc, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Superman. This issue has Harley Quinn and The Joker. I wonder if they'll get everyone into this story? Who's even left? The Penguin, Scarecrow, Two-Face, Bane. Anyone else out there? They did have Superman. They could add a bunch of the DC heroes: The Flash, Aquaman, Wonder Woman. Stuffing this story with an all-star cast at least makes it...what? Exciting? Makes it feel like a big deal? It also kind of feels desperate, though. Considering it's supposed to be out the mystery behind a new villain, Hush, why isn't he the focus? He's barely even in it. It also makes Hush seem like a lame villain if he's not good enough to carry the book. I did like the idea behind this issue. Selina Kyle, Bruce Wayne, and Bruce's childhood friend, Tommy, attend the opera for a charity function. Harley Quinn shows up and starts robbing the audience members and shooting a gun around. This reminded me of the circus scene in the movie Batman Forever when Bruce Wayne attends the circus and Two-Face sets a bomb off. Since Batman has been a comic book for almost 100 years now, I think every story has been done, and Bruce Wayne attending a public event when a villain shows up isn't exactly new. Cue Bruce Wayne disappearing and Batman appearing to save the day. The ending to this issue is shocking. In an alley outside the opera, Batman finds The Joker standing above a dead Tommy. Apparently, The Joker has shot and killed Tommy. It's an enjoyable issue with a good ending. We're halfway through this storyline and I think Hush has been in maybe a few panels. I'm guessing we're supposed to think Tommy isn't Hush because he's dead. Writer Jeph Loeb must think we're idiots. Tommy is literally the only suspect. ***

READING THE CLASSICS: BATMAN #612

 Published on February 26th, 2003

    The new Superman movie comes out this week, so I guess it's apt that Superman appears in this issue. Jeph Loeb is really throwing the kitchen sink at this book in terms of character appearances. The Joker hasn't shown up yet but I'm sure he will eventually. This does seem to be the end of Poison Ivy in this storyline, as her power over Superman fades when Superman saves Lois Lane, who Catwoman has thrown off a building. Catwoman then punches Poison Ivy in the face and Superman asks if that was really necessary and both Batman and Catwoman reply, "Yes." Batman also helps to defeat Superman by using a kryptonite ring that's hidden in a sewer. Hush does show up in this, but only to watch the action through binoculars. Hush hasn't done much of anything in this book. It is only 12 parts, right? The art as usual is dynamic and colorful. This is kind of a comic book's comic book. If you think of a comic book, this is it. Which is either a good or bad thing, depending on what you like. It's pretty much forgettable fun. **1/2

READING THE CLASSICS: BATMAN #611

Published on January 22nd, 2003

   Jim Lee's art in this isse, #611, the 4th chapter in "Hush," is pretty dynamic. It also harks back to when every woman looked like a supermodel in a Victoria's Secret catalogue. Bruce Wayne goes to Metropolis in this issue and goes to the newspaper where Clark Kent works. Lois Lane is working at a desk wearing a super tight, super short mini-skirt and high heels. Comics are kind of supposed to be for middle school age boys, so I guess this is apt to appeal to them and their raging hormones. Bruce Wayne also runs into Dr. Thomas Elliot, his friend from childhood. There's a few pages showing a flashback to when Bruce and Tommy were kids, and the art is done in a painted style that reminded me of Dustin Nguyen art on Descender. Bruce suits up as Batman and accompanies Catwoman to find Poison Ivy. They want to know why Poison Ivy needed money by getting Killer Croc to kidnap the child and get ransom money. The shocking conclusion to this issue has Superman showing up but he's been hypnotized by Poison Ivy and he's evil now. I guess the next issue will be Batman vs. Superman. The story is pretty ridiculous, even for a comic book, but the art is great and it's bombastic in terms of being over-the-top. **1/2

READING THE CLASSICS: BATMAN #610

 

Published on December 22nd, 2002

    This storyline is about Hush, a new villain in the Batman universe, yet here we are in part 3 and he makes only a one panel cameo, standing on a rooftop watching Batman and saying, "All men by nature desire knowledge." I suppose the big bad not even being in the story yet is supposed to build suspense. Besides that, Killer Croc escapes from Arkham thanks to Batman because Batman wants to follow him to see where the $10 million in ransom money went. Croc and Catwoman meet up but were told by someone else to meet there. Croc gets captured again by Amanda Waller, who I was surprised was around in DC back then. The final page has Batman and Catwoman kissing on a rooftop. I'm guessing this wasn't the first time they kissed...but I really didn't think that was a big thing until Tom King ramped it up into a non-wedding event. I just looked it up and I was totally wrong. They first kissed in Batman #3 in 1940. Jesus Christ. So it was always a thing. Funny how comic books are still doing this when it was first done in 1940. I'd say something like, "Are they out of new ideas?" But I guess Hush is at least a new character. During the 12 months that this storyline was published in Batman, the book was the #1 best selling comic for 11 of the 12 months. I have two questions: what month was it not the best selling comic book? And if it was so successful, why did they wait 23 years to do a sequel? **1/2

READING THE CLASSICS: BATMAN #609

Published on November 27th, 2002

    This "Hush" storyline only runs 12 issues, and not a lot must happen in it because the plot is moving as slow as molasses. Batman was swinging through the city chasing after Catwoman in the last issue and his rope was cut, sending him plunging down into Crime Alley where some homeless men approach ready to kill him for no apparent reason. In this issue, Huntress shows up to beat up the homeless men and save the day. I read Batman comics all the time and don't even know who Huntress is. Is she even still around? Was she a flash in the pan? She's basically just a female Robin, and these days there are too many Robins to count. There's Nightwing. There's Damian. There's the one that the Joker killed with a crowbar but is somehow still alive now. That might be Nightwing. Nightwing actually has his own book. So do a bunch of the female Robins who are known as The Birds of Prey. I guess considering Batman has been around for, like, a hundred years, there's bound to be a billion characters in the universe. We do finally get to see Hush in this issue, although very briefly as he stands on a building rooftop quoting poetry. It seems that he cut Batman's rope. Poison Ivy also gives the money she got from Catwoman to a mysterious stranger who doesn't appear on the page. The mystery deepens! Batman ends up so beat up that he needs surgery, so he gets an old childhood friend, Thomas Elliot, who's a doctor now, to fly in to Gotham to do the work. Alfred and co. give the press the fake story that Bruce Wayne was in a car accident. Okay. So maybe that is a lot of plot. The shining star in this "Hush" storyline is still the dynamic Jim Lee art. I can't even think of an artist working today in the superhero books that's as fantastic as Jim Lee was. I have heard this complaint before; that there are no great artists on the big superhero books anymore. Where did they all go? Some have mentioned that the pay and schedule sucks now. Or...it could just be old heads bitching about how things were better "in their day." I haven't read "Hush 2" yet so I don't know if Jim Lee's art is still great. Erik Larsen is one of the few original Image artists still working on a monthly book, and his art isn't as good as it once was. I suppose "Hush" is at least an easy, quick read. I swear, though, if Thomas Elliot turns out to be Hush than this is the dumbest storyline ever. **1/2

READING THE CLASSICS: BATMAN #608

Published on October 23rd, 2002

Cover Price: $2.25

    This year, DC is doing a Batman "Hush" sequel in the main title, starting with #158 (really #923). The original "Hush" storyline that lasted 12 issues was a big success way back in 2002 and 2003. The reason was that Jim Lee was drawing it and it was his first big post-Image Comics work. Jim Lee didn't last too long at Image Comics. Wildcats started in 1992 and he sold Wildstorm, his Image Comics imprint, to DC in 1998. Jim Lee is a great comic book artist, though, and will always be famous for drawing the #1 best selling comic of all time, X-Men #1. But ever since leaving Image Comics, Jim Lee ended up being like most of the other Image Comics founders and stopped drawing regularly. That meant then when he did actually draw a book it was kind of a big deal. The first part of the original "Hush" storyline takes place in this issue, Batman #608, which was a few months after the ten year anniversary of Wildcats #1. I'm guessing that Jim Lee was still a mega-star in 2002. He sure isn't now, though. "Hush 2" has already started and there have been two issues released and, honestly, nobody is talking about it. I'm sure it's selling well but I guess the idea of Jim Lee and the original "Hush" crew (writer Jeph Leob, inker Scott Williams, and colorist Alex Sinclair) returning isn't a big deal these days. In 2002/2003 I guess I wasn't the biggest comic book fan because I don't recall ever reading "Hush." They ended up making an animated movie based on it and it's still a story people talk about a lot so it definitely was a milestone of sorts. The one thing in reading Batman #608 that jumps out right away is how pure-1990's the Jim Lee art is. All of the original Image Comics art had that over-the-top, in-your-face, bigger-than-life type of art. The women were all super skinny with big tits and the guys were all over-muscled. Everything popped. There isn't much story in this issue, although we get Killer Croc, Catwoman, and Poison Ivy. Batman goes to save a kid that Killer Croc has kidnapped and held for ransom because the kid's father is a rich CEO. Catwoman steals the ransom and delivers it to Poison Ivy. Batman is chasing Catwoman when his grappling hook line is cut and he falls into an alley in a bad part of town where a gang of homeless men approach him ready to apparently stab him to death. This issue is only 21 pages and a brisk read. It looks fantastic for the most part (Lee's Killer Croc is a little shaky) and it's intriguing. Why is Catwoman reporting to Poison Ivy? Why is Hush not even in this issue? Was Robin still around in 2002? Was this storyline only famous because of Jim Lee's art? Or does the story get really good? I guess we'll find out. **1/2

The Best Cover of 2024: SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #37

 

The Best Pages & Panels of 2024

 

ALIENS VS. AVENGERS #1

VOID RIVALS #8

WHAT'S THE FURTHEST PLACE FROM HERE? #20

ZORRO: MAN OF THE DEAD #3

The Best Art of 2024: SEAN MURPHY & SIMON GOUGH "ZORRO: MAN OF THE DEAD"

 

    I awarded the best art of 2017 to Sean Murphy's Batman: White Knight, so it's really no surprise that his art for Zorro: Man of the Dead was excellent. He wrote and did the art while Simon Gough did the colors. It was a short, 4-issue mini-series for the small press Massive. Murphy is great at drawing action along with making his books look cool as hell. The backgrounds, the style that's totally his own, and the expressive characters...the art in this book was exceptional. 

The Best Writer of 2024: JONATHAN HICKMAN

  

       The Amazing Spider-Man, Marvel's flagship book forever, hasn't been that good in a very, very long time. When you read the old, classic issues, there's an evolution of Peter Parker taking place and the soap opera bildungsroman story makes all the superhero drama meaningful. That ended a long time ago, when Marvel decided to deep-freeze Parker in amber and never age, never have kids, never evolve besides maybe changing his employment for a bit. Thankfully, a new Ultimate Spider-Man came out in 2024, and writer Jonathan Hickman decided to showcase what The Amazing Spider-Man could be if it actually evolved. Peter Parker is married to Mary Jane and has two kids. He's still Spider-Man and there's still the Green Goblin and The Kingpin and everything is similar, but it also feels revitalized and fresh and thus exciting to read. A Spider-Man comic...in 2024...is actually a great read! Who knew? Hickman, of course, is something of a master at revitalization. The X-Men books were fairly forgettable until he introduced the epic "Krakatoa" storyline that changed the game and made the book worth reading again. And while Hickman has always kind of been a hit-or-miss writer and often his stories have sometimes been too overly confusing, he really put out some excellent books in 2024. Besides Ultimate Spider-Man, he finished writing his 8 issue G.O.D.S. comic book that was wild and a lot of fun. He co-wrote an entertaining Dr. Doom one-shot. And he also, shockingly, made Aliens vs. Avengers a great book. Surely, in the hands of most writers, that would have been just a stupid book with Captain America and The Hulk fighting Aliens on a spaceship while cracking jokes or something. But Hickman made the book...gulp...interesting. A book featuring Aliens and The Avengers is serious, thought provoking and good. Only a good writer can even attempt to pull that one off. & Jonathan Hickman did. 

The Best Comic Book of 2024: WHAT'S THE FURTHEST PLACE FROM HERE?

     My favorite comic books of the year included Absolute Batman, Ultimate Spider-Man, Something is Killing the Children, and Saga. But the best book of the year, and a comic book that has been consistently either the best comic book out there or close to it since it started, is What's the Furthest Place From Here? from Image Comics. Written by Matthew Rosenberg and drawn by Tyler Boss and Dylan Burnett, this book is wild, weird, funny, engaging, entertaining, bonkers, fresh, alive, and totally insane. There were only four issues released in 2024, but we did finally get the revelation of all the big answers to this strange world. The basic premise has teenagers and twentysomethings living in a post-apocalyptic world, and everyone is living in gangs not unlike the gangs from that movie The Warriors. There's also The Strangers, mysterious beings that will swoop in when someone disobeys "the rules." Every issue is sort of a journey to a new place filled with new weirdo's. Danger is everywhere and everyone talks in quips and everything is "off." Finally we found out where the adults are; walled up in a city on an island to prevent a disease that ravaged the world. The book is super dark but very, very funny. Whenever an issue is released, I always read it right away. I can't wait to sink my teeth into this world again, to be immersed in this wild, crazy place full of wonderful, colorful freaks just trying to survive. It's fantastic.