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Talon #1 - The Gotham Trap Review

5

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Calvin Rose, the former Talon that escaped from the Court of Owls returns to Gotham City. Find out if that was the best idea.

The Good

I'm still torn over the idea of this series. I like the fact that Calvin Rose is a Talon that managed to escape from the Court of Owls. There is so much that can be learned from the Court because of all the secrets they had for decades. Calvin gives us a different look at the Court and at Gotham. From the very first page, we're given a mini history lesson and get an idea why the Court may not have been too pleased with Alan Wayne. James Tynion IV and Scott Snyder are continuing to add to the mysticism of Gotham City.

Last month's zero issue gave us a look at Calvin's backstory but now that we're in the present, it's time for Calvin to figure out what the status of the Court is. Their plans didn't go too well at the end of "Night of the Owls" and Calvin decides to return to Gotham to find out if he finally is free. You might have an idea what the result might be otherwise this could be a short lived series. What Calvin finds may not be what you expect though. That's where the fun begins. New layers are being added to Gotham City. It's not in an artificial way either. It feel plausible that these events could be unfolding and gives a little giddy feeling that Batman still doesn't have all the answers.

Is Calvin a badass?

He does have a run in with a familiar Talon. There are still some on the loose. This is important to see because we need to know what he's capable of. He was an escape artist but was also meant to be an assassin. We need to see what his fighting skills are and we do get to see him in action. There is also a character here that will further move the series and Calvin's mission against the Court.

Guillem March's art fits nicely here. The fight scenes are well played out and even though we're seeing a new and different part of Gotham, it still feels familiar.

A minor spoiler is Batman does not appear here. It has to happen someday but thankfully he isn't thrown in just yet. We need to see Calvin develop on his own before confronting the Bat-Family. We also find out what's up with the costume seen on the cover. Would a former Talon actually wear a Talon-type costume? You'll find out within the issue.

The Bad

Part of me would have liked Calvin to not return to Gotham just yet. But you need to remember that the zero issue took place many years ago. I want to see more of the Court's influence outside of Gotham. Because of the fate of the several members of the Court in BATMAN, we have to assume there are still others out there. Seeing Cavlin explore other dark areas of the DC Universe will be fascinating.

Calvin jumps to some conclusions when someone is trying to help him. It's understandable that he won't easily trust others but because of the way they meet, he has to know this person isn't exactly a threat.

The Verdict

We have a great new addition to the Bat-Family. He may not be an official member just yet but because he returns to Gotham and is connected to the Court of Owls, it's only a matter of time. Calvin Rose has a unique background as he didn't exactly choose the life he has. He didn't have a tragic childhood the way many others had that drove him to become a hero. Calvin is more concerned with his survival and fighting the Court of Owls. We get to find out more about him and his abilities as well as seeing a little more on Gotha City's past. Tynion and Snyder are a get pair to flesh out this new sub-world of the Batman Universe and Guillem March is nailing the action scenes while giving new characters and locations a familiar Gotham-type feel. TALON is definitely a book I now look forward to each month.

37 Comments
Posted by doordoor123

I love Batman, but I think I loved this issue more then I loved every issue of Batman so far. Calvin is SO awesome. The way he fought that Talon was great and even his instincts with that new character (i forgot his name).

At some point, Alfred needs to play Chess or something with this new guy. It would be great if they were secretly best friends but they were both hiding this secret behind them.

Posted by longbowhunter

I've enjoyed the first two issues of this series. Calvin's background already makes him the odd man out in the Bat family and I like that. He's not even a superhero per se, just a man with a mission. Don't care for the costume. Really wish he'd just stick with the black jumper he had at the start of the book.

Posted by The Stegman

Oh come on DC...I'm already picking up 30 of the New 52 as it is!! I really cannot afford another title :(

Posted by cc1738

I'm going wait to get this in trade. I'm getting too many monthlies as it is and can't afford to add another one. This sounds epic though.

Posted by ccraft

Calvin is awesome, I love how hes an escape artist! Idk about his new suit yet, I'll need to see him in action 1st. Cant wait for the second issue

Posted by darkhorse3581

Can't wait to get my hands on this issue. Was really impressed with issue #0.

Posted by JamDamage

seems like a book only Snyder can write. I think we all love the looks of the Talons, and the mask on this female is my favorite one. The featherer shoulders are cool as hell too. Calvin Rose or what ever his name is, costume is just lame tho. He looks stupid as hell. I liked the suit he had on in the beginning of the book way better then the dumb ass burd suit he put on at the end. I have a question tho. Does Calvin still have his healing powers like the rest of the Talons. It doesn't seem so, but I just don't know.

Posted by Twentyfive

I'll try it. Initially not happy about this character, but whatever. Worth a look.

Posted by MisterKetch

@JamDamage said:

seems like a book only Snyder can write. I think we all love the looks of the Talons, and the mask on this female is my favorite one. The featherer shoulders are cool as hell too. Calvin Rose or what ever his name is, costume is just lame tho. He looks stupid as hell. I liked the suit he had on in the beginning of the book way better then the dumb ass burd suit he put on at the end. I have a question tho. Does Calvin still have his healing powers like the rest of the Talons. It doesn't seem so, but I just don't know.

He never had them, the important thing to remember is that unlike the Talons released during the Night Of Owls he never was frozen then revived by Mr.Freeze's serum. If I recall correctly that is where there extra abilities came from.

Posted by the_fallen11

This issue blew me away awesome, awesome issue.

Posted by pspin

Definitely getting this in trade, it looks great

Posted by Souche99

Very good issue indeed. On a different order, I think it's ridiculous to put an ad on a #1 cover...

Posted by bunkerbuster05

Clark's the bad guy, calling it.

Really awesome first (kind of?) issue. Added it to my pull list.

Posted by doordoor123

@bunkerbuster05 said:

Clark's the bad guy, calling it.

Really awesome first (kind of?) issue. Added it to my pull list.

I don't think so. Calvin needs a supporting cast and while I think Clark is maybe not the most trustworthy person, I don't think he'll ever be a bad guy. It would be too predictable too. I just don't think that is where this is going to lead.

Posted by Mandrewgora

5 stars, hmmm I don't know the book's not really meshing with me, I did enjoy the zero issue.

Posted by Cavemold

gotta say this was GREAT READ. I was impressed with issue nightwing 1 but this kinda blows that out of the water..

Posted by Cavemold

@Mandrewgora said:

5 stars, hmmm I don't know the book's not really meshing with me, I did enjoy the zero issue.

what were your problems with it?

Posted by mzultan17

Did any one else get an awesome Bruce Wayne/ Terry McGinnis vibe from the last few pages? I know Scott Snyder loved Batman Beyond and if the series continues to be as amazing as this issue I'm hooked.

Posted by Cavemold

@mzultan17 said:

Did any one else get an awesome Bruce Wayne/ Terry McGinnis vibe from the last few pages? I know Scott Snyder loved Batman Beyond and if the series continues to be as amazing as this issue I'm hooked.

Definitely got that vibe!!!!!! Thanks for mentioning it !

Posted by SavageDragon

Really solid 1st issue. I was among the many who really dug the 0 issue and now with this new number 1 we can see the direction this book will initially go in. I can say Im on board for it.

Posted by BCreatures16

Doesn't being locked inside a dog cage by his father count as a "tragic childhood?" I get what you're saying though, that particular experience didn't drive him to become a superhero like Batman.

Posted by entropy_aegis

Really good issue,not 5-star but better than almost all issues of Batman written by Snyder up till now IMO(excluding Batman#1 and #2).

Posted by whitelantern64

@The Stegman: really? which 30? I thought I was getting a lot of the new 52 and I only pick up 10-15 a week. Your budget for comics, must be a crap load, epecially if ure getting marvel/image/indie comics as well as DC every month

Posted by whitelantern64

Anyone else wondering where that new costume on the cover came from? In one panel, calvin's talking to the guy, the next seconds, hes wearing this Armour. great issue, but would have liked some more intro on how he has that costume or why its designed that way.

Edited by The Stegman
@whitelantern64: Nah, My budget is pretty low actually, I just cut back on non essential spending, like food, rent...stuff that are less important than comics, and my list is: 
 

Pull List

1.        Action comics

2.        Detective Comics

3.        Animal Man

4.        Swamp Thing

5.        Earth Two

6.        Green Lantern

7.        Batgirl

8.        Batman

9.        Batman & Robin

10.    Demon Knights

11.    Green Lantern Corps

12.    Suicide Squad

13.    Superboy

14.    Ravagers

15.    Batwoman

16.    Birds of Prey

17.    Green Lantern: New Guardians

18.    Justice League

19.    Nightwing

20.    Red Hood & The Outlaws

21.    Supergirl

22.    Wonder Woman

23.    Batman: The Dark Knight

24.    Batman Incorporated

25.    I Vampire

26.    Justice League Dark

27.    Superman

28.    Teen Titans

29.    The Flash

30.    Aquaman 

 
I also read two titles from Dark Horse and one from Vertigo 
 
As for Marvel, one of my friends is a Marvel guy (I'm more DC) and he collects just as many Marvel titles as I do DC, so once or twice a month we hang out and trade comics, it saves a lot of money.
Posted by sesquipedalophobe

It simply doesn't look at all interesting.

Posted by Mandrewgora

@Cavemold: not sure really, maybe I was just in a bad mood when I read it. Maybe I just don't want another bat book to read. I'll get issue 2 next month and see if it starts clicking for me.

Posted by Cavemold

@Mandrewgora said:

@Cavemold: not sure really, maybe I was just in a bad mood when I read it. Maybe I just don't want another bat book to read. I'll get issue 2 next month and see if it starts clicking for me.

read it when your in a better mood? What bat books do you get?

Posted by Mandrewgora

@Cavemold: most of the bat books, and IDK I liked the zero issue of talon more then the first issue.

Posted by Cavemold

@Mandrewgora said:

@Cavemold: most of the bat books, and IDK I liked the zero issue of talon more then the first issue.

i see, issue 2 will be very interesting to see where this goes next

Posted by Jake Fury

The 5 star treatment continues for Scott Snyder! Bwahahahaahahaha

Posted by Dhor
@JamDamage: me too. i loved the costume he had in the begging but i`m not to fond of his Talon costume
Posted by Maxman3

I enjoy the Bat family but it generally falls into a predictable formula. It's Master and Apprentice which then turns into Apprentice resentment against Master, and Apprentice gets his own book, ex. Red Robin, Bat Girl, Nightwing etc. Don't get me wrong Nightwing has been one of my favorite comics in The New 52, but for the first time in years it's a mystery what will happen with Calvin Rose and the Bat Family and that is something that gets my blood pumping!!!!

Posted by BatWatch

I concur with G-Man. It's a very good start to the series. My only real complaint is that Calvin's outfit is just not working for me.

Here is my review for any interested:

http://www.comicvine.com/talon-the-gotham-trap/37-363055/user-reviews/?review_id=32614

@Maxman3 said:

I enjoy the Bat family but it generally falls into a predictable formula. It's Master and Apprentice which then turns into Apprentice resentment against Master, and Apprentice gets his own book, ex. Red Robin, Bat Girl, Nightwing etc. Don't get me wrong Nightwing has been one of my favorite comics in The New 52, but for the first time in years it's a mystery what will happen with Calvin Rose and the Bat Family and that is something that gets my blood pumping!!!!

That's actually just a fundamental archetype which you can see in all sorts of literature. However, it does get used frequently in the Batman verse.@The Stegman:

Looks like you are single-handedly keeping the DC universe afloat. (grins)

Posted by The Stegman
@PsychoKnights:  
 


@The Stegman:

Looks like you are single-handedly keeping the DC universe afloat. (grins)

It's a tough job..but someone's gotta do it.  
Posted by Maxman3

@PsychoKnights: I don't care for the suit design as well, but I enjoy what I feel it represents. Bruce was terrified of bats yet he took his fear and turned into a weapon for good against evil. I feel it's the same for Calvin Rose turning a symbol of evil into something good and heroic. I guess we'll see more as the issues continue.

Posted by romojk979

Totally blew me away. It was a fantastic story with awesome art. The Court of Owls is one of the coolest villains/characters to come out of the New 52. I'm so glad this was a spin off because getting more background on the Court each month is one of the highlights of my pull list. Calvin is a bad ass, and well on his way to being one of my absolute favorite characters.

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