Book of the week of 6/15/11

Deadman and the Flying Graysons #1

Book of the week 6/15/11

Deadman and the Flying Graysons #1

Writer: J.T. Krul
Penciller: Mikel Janin
Inker: Mikel Janin

Colorist: Ulises Arreola 
Letterer: Patrick Brosseau
Cover Art: Cliff Chang & Jared Fletcher

Assistant Editor: Sean Mackiewicz
Editor: Pat McCallum

The Show Must Go On

This was by far my favorite of the Flashpoint companion books.  In a world where Bruce Wayne never became Batman Dick Grayson also never became Robin.  


You get to see the life that Dick would have had if his parents were never murdered and raised him themselves.  It was also interesting to see Boston Brand in the mix.  The character has really come to prominence recently.  Some things must subconsciously bleed through from the original reality as Dick is garbed in a Nightwing-esque costume as his stage attire.

Doctor Fate plays a prominent part as well as his helmet seems to be of great interest to Diana and the Amazons.  In fact the Amazonian search for said artifact leaves us with a foreboding feeling about the fate of Dick Grayson and family.

Teen Titans #96

Writer: J.T. Krul
Penciller: Jose Luis

Inker: Sandro Ribeiro & Jonad Trindade

Colorist: Jason Wright

Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual

Cover Art: Scott & Hazlewood with Wright

Assistant Editor: Ricky Purdin

Editor: Rachel Gluckstern

Beast of Legend

While overall a straight forward slugfest the issue shines a spotlight on an underrated character as Beast Boy takes center stage against demon king Rankor and his hoarde of demons.    Beast Boy demonstrates a level of power never before hinted at and manages to go to toe with a demon king and hold his own.

Beast Boy has help from newbie Solstice, whom Raven gets a bad reaction from, and manages to free his friends.  Solstice realizes it is her destiny to face Rankor the demon king.  I couldn't help but think of Return of the Jedi every time I read that name.

The issue leads up to the climactic battle between Solstice and Rankor and leaves us waiting to see who wins.

Overall it was an entertaining read and I really enjoyed seeing Beast Boy shine.  He has been an underrated character for a long time and its good to see him use his potential.  I'm looking forward to next issue.

Batgirl #22

Writer: Brian Q. Miller

Penciller: Pere Perez

Inker: Pere Perez

Colorist: Guy Major

Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual

Cover Art: Dustin Nguyen

Assistant Editor: Katie Kubert

Editor: Janelle Asselin

Five Minutes Fast

From an artistic standpoint I love the bookends made by the first and last pages of the story.

As Stephanie is sent abroad on a mission from Batman under an alias she encounters Beryl Hutchinson, better known as Squire.  The interplay between the two of them is great.  Stephanie is trying to be serious and focused and taking her mission from Batman very seriously, while squire prefers to hide in plain sight and not be so stuffy.

When innocents are threatened its time for Batgirl and Squire to save the day, and ultimately the world.  The Orphan, a villain of Knight and Squire's (who is a bad walking Charles Dickins joke) has opened a rift in time with the Greenwich Mean (its a thing apparently).  Orphan stops time in an attempt to kill Knight. Batgirl and Squire save the innocents, who were left with bombs strapped to them that only the pausing of time was preventing from blowing them to tiny bits.  They went on to defeat the bad guy and save Knight, and the world by closing the time rift and sealing the Greenwich Mean.

The girls share a bonding moment and its nice to see Stephanie enjoy herself after all the crap she's had to go through.  But then its back to business as Batman shows up to lead us to the crossover in Batman Incorporated #9.

Batman #711

Writer: Tony S. Daniel

Penciller: Steve Scott

Inker: Ryan Winn

Colorist: Ian Hannin

Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher

Cover Art: Tony S. Daniel

Assistant Editor: Katie Kubert

Editor: Mike Marts

Pieces- Part 2- The Long Way Back

An opening which brings flashes of George Romero movies to mind starts us of on getting some answers as to the mystery which began last issue.  We are told right off the bat that Two-Face is alive and well... or unwell actually.  

The Riddler saves Harvey, who seems confused as to wether he has hallucinated the last several hours, not wanting to believe he had been double betrayed and that his presumed dead ex, Gilda, was actually alive and working with a rival of his, mob boss Mario Falcone.  The Riddler Tells Harvey that he helped stage his death and that Gilda needs his help.

The issue features mostly on Two-Face, but also does not leave out its star character as you get to see why Dick Grayson was given the cowl.  There is classic detective work, with a touch of the light humor that Dick brings to the character.  We also get to see Batman in action as he makes a dramatic entrance to save Catgirl, who is a fly in the ointment yet well meaning.  I would like to see a Damian/Catgirl team-up.  Two arrogant heroes with something to prove and a legacies they feel are theirs to carry on, could be interesting.

Damian does have his usual arrogance and defiance, but it seems as if he is growing more comfortable in the world he has found himself in since leaving his mother's side.  Although I doubt he will ever be "warm and fuzzy" I think Damian could grow into a worthy eventual successor to the mantle of the Bat.

We get our lead in to next issue when a wounded Catgirl tells Batman what she overheard and then a cut to Two-Face and his new ally The Riddler preparing to rally the troops and show mob boss Mario Falcone that nobody double crosses Two-Face.