NEW DC 52 Review Week 4 | BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT & FLASH #1

I have to admit, even before the Relaunch, I have not been extremely impressed by this series as far as the writing is concerned. Previously in the series, Batman has been squaring off with some mystical villains like Etrigan and Ragman…and while Batman vs. supernatural characters CAN be done (like when he squared off with Swamp Thing in the old days), it is a delicate balance. It can very easily pull a Batman book away from feeling like a Batman book. This is just my opinion though…it’s the reason I was never a huge fan of The Outsiders. BUT seeing as this is a new day and a brand new comic (and Paul Jenkins is here to help Finch with the scripting), it seems at first DK has reverted back to Batman punching sickos in their sicko faces, it SEEMS that way. The cliffhanger ending may jeopardize that sort of thing.

One thing that I found odd in this issue is (exactly like in Batman #1 last week) we have ANOTHER Arkham jailbreak attempt and yet ANOTHER double page spread with Bat-Rogues looking nasty. (kind of redundant…but anyway), only this time, it’s a bunch of lesser known villains. When I say lesser, I mean that to very many people that haven’t followed Batman comics in a while, it looks like we got White Shark, Mr. Freeze & Clayface (who are the most famous baddies here and they also tried to escape last week), a guy with a bunch of keys hanging from him who, after a bit of research, I discovered is named The Key (I’m sure he gets blamed every time there is a scratch on the batmobile), a person in a creepy clown mask (I think it’s a character from the Morrison run), a guy in a hood and what seems like a Casey Jones hockey mask, a creepy dude in a top hat and glowing eyes and a blonde woman that is either Man-Bat’s wife or Lady Ga-Ga (I always KNEW those costumes would eventually land her in Arkham)…oh and some bald guy with tribal tats on his face. I may be biased (being a “Marvel guy”), but I very much enjoy when an ensemble of characters are introduced or re-introduced into a book we get told who they are. It makes us look up the character, find out what they are all about, and possibly even buy some more comics. Sounds like it would sell old trades and produce traffic on DC’s website, but oh well. I don’t want to lessen the threat of these villains, I’m sure The Key is plenty scary and a horrible guy, but I’m pretty sure Bat-Mite would have no problem taking care of this group.

By the end of the book we see a character called the White Rabbit…is this the same White Rabbit from the 90’s Superman comics that was involved with the origin of Steel? I’m not sure. But I would assume so. Well, not the SAME one, but this universe’s version of the same character…or something. Why she is in Gotham, we are not told yet, but she definitely seems more fitting for Batman’s Rogues than Superman’s. She could totally team up with The Mad Hatter and/or Tweedle Dee & Dum!

In the art department, Finch can draw a pretty badass Batman, no question. And David has been around long enough to know his way around drawing a story. I just sort of wished the story gave him something new to draw. It just all seems sort of “done before”. I felt this way with the entire book. But, as with the rest of the 52 books that have some story problems, there is always space for “plot repair” and development. We shall see. I will personally continue reading this series in hopes of improvement and because I really like David Finch’s art, but I’d love one day to see a creative team take over the book and perhaps bring us a Batman comic that gives us the feel of a Nolan Batman film! A down to earth crime-based Batman comic would be great! BDK has been just the opposite. But not at all is this a horrible comic book. It’s just more of the same, for the moment.

Now while writing this column, I have caught wind that a fellow writer, Rich Johnston from Bleeding Cool today has pointed out that Two-Face called Batman “Batty-Boy” at the end of the issue. Now this can be confused with a Jamaican homophobic slur. Mr. Johnston goes on to say “I’ve seen records banned, performances banned over use of this phrase. What this means for a T graded comic from DC… I have no idea”. I think it’s absurd to make such a big deal out of what is an honest misunderstanding, and I can only guess that this is an attempt to bring outside media attention and traffic to Bleeding Cool. Maybe using a derogatory term that is not used in North American culture very much in a Batman comic book isn’t the way to go. Oh, and Rich? It’s not even spelt the same way in the comic as the slur you are referring to.

My fellow eXpertColumnist Steve Damm (Damm Lucky) contacted Paul Jenkins today via e-mail on this subject and he responded, “I have never heard of that slur, and it takes a bit of digging to even find reference on it. It is obvious that the Character is just acting in a fashion typical for one of Batman’s villains – the Joker will call him “Bats,” for example. Does that mean we are having a dig at people with mental illness? Of course not”

I think that’s case closed, folks. No need for all the drama! Thanks for the statement, Paul.

Onto Flash #1 written by Francis Manapul and art by Brian Buccellatto.

I’ve been a lukewarm fan of Flash my whole life. I enjoy the character and his abilities and his general concept. I just have never gravitated to his comics like I have X-Men related titles or Spider-Man comics. But I have to say, of all the books I’ve read and reviewed from the 52, Flash is the most fun and adaptable. Readers with a vague knowledge of The Flash can pick up this book and follow the action and I dare ANYone to not call this a fun read. It opens and ends like a #1 should. It is not an origin book, but we are introduced into a fast-paced humorous and all around fun comic book series. I wish more of the 52 flowed like Flash #1. It is similar to Invincible or Amazing Spider-Man.

Manapul’s artwork is excellent. His action sequences and layout are very well crafted and fun to look at. And I really enjoy the new concept of how the Flash ring works and we see the Speed Force lightning surging through the seams of the costume. The creative team has crafted themselves a great superhero comic here. The CSI-esque aspect of the book is an original plus also. I think this particular DC series is going to take off and be a smash hit! Go pick it up, guys!

So, there we go!! New 52 month is over and done with from the Bleeder perspective and I had fun talking about some great comics and a few okay ones with my fellow eX-Force columnist. I wasn’t sure when DC announced they were rebooting their entire line of comics what my feelings were. I didn’t read enough DC Comics to be extremely outraged. That sort of came when I saw Superman’s new costume. Which I am slowly warming up to now anyway. There is no doubt that this was a big event and I congratulate DC for their success and bringing attention to comics, at least for a month. Even though, the observant artist that I am, it took me until last week to notice the hidden hooded woman who has been inserted all throughout the 52 #1’s! I know! Don’t take my geek membership away! It’s been a busy month, okay! Who is she?!!? A female Desaad? Granny Goodness? Raven?! Lady Ga-Ga? Only DC knooows. Well, Batman probably knows too.

Stay tuned VERY soon for my blockbuster Montreal Comic Con coverage! There is LOTS of fun ahead! Til then, stay bloody! (can I go back to talking about Marvel now!?)