Batman: The Long Halloween

Written by: Jeph Loeb
Art by: Tim Sale

Minor spoilers ahead...

This semi-sequel to Batman: Year One follows Batman's attempt to capture the serial killer Holiday, named for his/her method of committing murders each month on a holiday. The murders seem to be connected as all the victims are in some way associated with the Falcone crime family. While the primary plot focus is on the hunt for the killer, there is a lot going on in this 13-part epic. Early on the young Batman relies on his relationship with Police Captain Jim Gordon and DA Harvey Dent, as the three of them vow to each other to bring down "The Roman" Carmine Falcone. Even as he works with Dent, eventually Bats comes to see Dent as a very likely suspect in the Holiday murders, and the relationship begins to fracture. Dent's role becomes bigger as the story unfolds, and the birth of Two-Face is a huge turning point of the story, as Dent's turn from driven law enforcer to scarred madman signal's a changing of the guard in Gotham's criminal element. The days of the mob are numbered and the freaks (Joker, Scarecrow, Solomon Grundy) are taking over. As with the other classic Loeb Batman story, HUSH, the reveal of the primary antagonists identity is somewhat underwhelming, but it's forgivable considering the the strength of the story overall, especially when you take into account the fact that the search for Holiday is only a small part of the story being told. I'm not a huge fan of Tim Sale's art, to be honest, but his style fits Batman's world pretty well, and I think this is the best work he's ever done.

Batman: Hush

Written by: Jeph Loeb
Penciled by: Jim Lee
Inked by: Scott Williams

Minor spoilers ahead...

Jeph Loeb's story is like a fanboy's wet dream. He includes just about every relevant character in Batman's world (even Huntress, ugh), and really plays to Jim Lee's strengths, giving him plenty of pretty lady's to draw, and lots of larger-than-life action. The primary antagonist, HUSH, is playing Batman's longtime enemies against him. Everyone, from Poison Ivy to The Scarecrow to The Riddler, gets in on the act. But it's not just the usual baddies Batman has to deal with. He even gets to throwdown with Superman again (and no matter how many times it happens, I always get a kick out of it, when it's done well). While HUSH throws Batman's life into chaos, Catwoman becomes even more of an ally, and Batman finally is forced to figure out exactly how much he trusts her. This romantic sub-plot plays out much better than I would've thought, and for the first time up to that point, I saw Selina Kyle as more than a sexy, leather-clad jewel thief. Anyway, it's not just the Batman/Catwoman show, as many of the longtime Bat-family get to shine, with appearances from Nightwing, Jim Gordon, Amanda Waller, and of course, Batman's go to hacker, Oracle. The ultimate reveal of HUSH's identity is neither shocking, nor satisfying, but once it's clear that there is yet another villain behind all of HUSH's machinations, things fall into place nicely. This one has everything you want in a Batman tale set in the larger DC Universe, dynamic action sequences, multiple villains and guest stars, shocking twists (Jason Todd? NOOOOO!), and a clever mystery for Bats to solve.

Batman vs. Predator

Written by Dave Gibbons
Penciled by Andy Kubert
Inked by Adam Kubert


Minor spoilers ahead...

Don't dismiss this bad boy as a cheap crossover gimmick. I know it might be easy to roll your eyes and ignore this story , but I've always found it to be classic Batman. I could try to convince you of this crossover's credibility myself, but I think longtime Batman writer and editor Denny O'Neil did a better job then I ever could in the trade paper back's introduction...


"The only test I've ever found for judging the artistic credibility of using a character from one fictional universe in another such universe is this: If the character were presented fresh, as a new creation, would he be acceptable? So: If a writer suggested an extra-terrestrial with advanced weaponry and a hunter-killer ethos as the villain of a Batman series, would I buy it? Well... yes."

"We generally put the planet-hopping variety of science fiction off-limits to Batman scripters; Batman's roots are in dark myths- vampires, demons, were-creatures, ogres, all the shadow beings that creep from the nether side of the human psyche. Rocket ships and Batman are not a good mix: our Caped Crusader may use technology, but he is not of technology; it has nothing to do with what he is. And it has nothing to do with what the Predator is, either. Take a look at him and then search your memory for predecessors. Shiva, Satan, Grendel, the Fenris Wolf- the fiends, the devils, the devourers, the enemies of mercy and humanity- those are the Predator's kinfolk. Do we really care that he arrived by spacecraft instead of being belched up from a fiery pit? Not unless we're very picky indeed."


Anyway...
Things start out with The Predator in Gotham City and on the hunt. He begins with the city's Heavyweight boxing champ, and soon after the gruesome scene is discovered, Batman is on the case. As the body count rises The Predator realizes that Batman is the biggest game the city has to offer. However, it's The World's Greatest Detective who soon discovers the aliens makeshift lair... only to get his ass handed to him in their first encounter. Quick thinking (and the Batmobile) get him away with his life, but while Bats is on the mend it's open season for The Predator. Going after mobsters and politicians alike, the creature eventually eyes Commissioner Gordon, just as Batman is ready to get back into action. Of course, now that he's already faced the monster once, and learned its capabilities, Batman is prepared for the rematch. And as all comic fans know, a prepared Batman is damn near unbeatable.

Dave Gibbons 3-issue story-arc reads like a big budget action flick and the early Kubert brothers art fits perfectly.

JLA: Tower of Babel

Written by: Mark Waid
Penciled by: Howard Porter


One last JLA story before I delve into the solo Batman stuff.

Spoilers ahead...

The JLA is being systematically dismantled. A mystery villain has keyed in on each members weaknesses and brought them to their knees. Eventually it is discovered that the plans used were actually Batman's fail safes in case any member of the JLA went rogue. Even if he can repair the damage done, his teammates might never trust him again

JLA: New World Order

Written by: Grant Morrison
Penciled by: Howard Porter


Minor spoilers ahead...


Here's a JLA story that show how an "ordinary" Batman can be relevant in a DC Universe filled with guys who can bend steel and break the sound barrier.





A new super-team, calling themselves The Hyperclan, shows up out of the blue with promises to save the world. While using their considerable powers to do things like growing a rain forest in the desert, they use the media to undermine the JLA. While all the heroes think something is off with these new guys, it's Batman who discovers their secret and almost single handedly brings them down.

Countdown to THE DARK KNIGHT

I'm gonna spotlight some of my favorite Batman comics as I not-so-patiently wait for the premier of THE DARK KNIGHT later this week. BATMAN BEGINS is undoubtedly the best super-hero movie DC has ever had, and I'd say it's trailing only SPIDER-MAN 2, and the first two X-MEN flicks as the best comic book movie of all time. I actually think the sequel will be superior to the original, but I'm trying to keep my hopes down.

Happy 4th!

'Nuff said.

WANTED

I never got through the Wanted comic series. Something about having a protagonist who brags about raping celebrities and getting away with it kept me from getting into it. So, I wasn't ecstatic when I heard a film adaptation was in the works. Of course, I should have known Hollywood wouldn't put the rape and the random sniping of innocent people in the film, or use the "super-villain" angle at all, for that matter. While the movie starts out with a pretty faithful interpretation of "hero" Wesley's mundane existence, once the movie kicks into high gear it's a guild of assassin's, not super-powered villains, who recruit Wesley and give him something to live for. And boy does this flick deliver on the high octane action (leave all disbelief at the door if you want to fully enjoy this one). This has got to be the most visually entertaining action flick since the Matrix trilogy ended. I loved the cast, and while sometimes the tone seemed to veer too far into humorous territory, overall it sucked me into the world and kept me wide-eyed and jaw-dropped.

4/5 stars