Review from 4-10-13
By Maverike 0 Comments
The art of Greg Capullo is awesome and I’m happy he’ back, but the story isn’t holding its weight. Scott Snyder’s Batman has been great with long arcs, but this shorter story doesn’t give itself room to breathe. Clayface has evolved to copy another person’s DNA perfectly, but there isn’t any drama since he’s always impersonating the next person. While the meet up with Superman was hinted at briefly it is a weird backup story with a magic threat causing Superman to act like he’s never seen magic before even though he already knows it is a weakness. It could have been nice to see Clark comfort Bruce after Damian’s death, but this monster doesn’t do it for me.
3/5
In an unexpected turn the denial phase of Bruce’s grief leads him to kidnap Frankenstein to find out what makes him tick. While Red Robin makes an appearance as the title suggests, he only arrives in time to spoil the party. The dark tone goes well with Frank, especially before he is abducted and fighting some gross monsters. Carrie Kelly’s introduction is interesting, but there isn’t enough to get a feel for where her story is going. Given the arc she is being introduced in though she might help Bruce overcome his grief in a way the Bat family can’t.
4/5
First off, Alysia was a boring character before this issue and after that confession is still a boring character. Giving her(?) a label doesn’t make her an interesting character by itself. The characterization of James Jr. is conflicting and confuses his motivation. I do enjoy the art, but this story is not good.
2/5
This issue has a lot of its backstory in Ravagers and Team 7, but there are quick recaps that helped me out since I’ve stopped reading those books. Some quick research shows that Slade’s family has appeared before in this volume, but it was when I wasn’t reading. I know their basic story and it looks like this is evil Jericho. I’m much less familiar with Majestic, but Superman clone looks to be enough to get by with this story. There doesn’t appear to be a reason that Majestic can instantly be controlled while Lynch, Rose, and Slade are immune. This issue sadly felt like a middle chapter where I didn’t get the introduction.
2/5
Vandal Savage is prepared to attack a helpless Etrigan, but he is convinced to help because he will have a hard time indulging his desires in a world filled with vampires. Cain and his army attack the beach of Themyscira, but wait for night to fall before attacking the city giving the Demon Knights time to cross the ocean. Lucifer is impressed by Jason’s resolve to stay in Hell to punish Etrigan, but makes him restore Etrigan because of the threat of Cain whose vampire undead have no need for hell. The Amazons and Demon Knights defeat the vampire threat, but not before Ystin is bitten by Cain to fulfill a prophecy required to find the Holy Grail. Bernard Chang’s art is awesome and will be missed.
5/5
After a kidnapping, John is faced with Mister E who demands the Needle John sacrificed Chris to retrieve. John loses the needle, but is able to get away to the temple where the dial is housed. The Spectre is waiting to judge John for the innocent lives he sacrificed instead of himself. John points out that nobody is doing a better job so the Spectre lets him continue the fight. I really enjoy the coloring in this issue as well as the unusual angles of the frames. The characterization of magic as an addictive drug that feels great while destroying Johns life is fascinating.
5/5