This Joker's No Joke

After Batman's lame reboot in DC's New 52 with the never-ending Court of Owls saga, they followed it up with one of the best Batman stories ever: "Death of the Family."  Yes, it mimicked the original late 1980s "Death in the Family" title to try to grab some headlines and piggyback on that popular story's sales, but we'll forgive DC for that cheap marketing tactic.  

"Death of the Family" gave us the New 52 version of the Joker.  And he is freakin' scary.  How scary is he?  He removed his own face and then loosely reattached it.  And with every issue, the reattached face decomposed more and more as it barely clung to him, tied only with strings, with flies buzzing around the decayed skin.  Twisted!  

The story involved Joker haunting the entire Batman family of superheroes, including Robin, Red Robin, Nightwing, Red Hood, Catwoman, and Batgirl (alas, no Batwoman), and the stories ran into their own individual titles.  This is the story DC should have rebooted the Batman series with, but I can see why they'd save it in their back pocket. 

I was a little disappointed in reading the conclusion of the storyline in Batman #17.  I thought, "That's it?"  However, after a closer second reading, I appreciated it more.  It established an interesting (new) bond between Batman and Joker, and delved a bit more deeply into the Joker's past than ever before.  Joker's still up to his games all in the name of dark humor, but they're much more serious and deadly.  And I like it.  This Joker is extremely psychotic, making him all the more interesting.  I'd love to see even more character development with this new Joker.  

All in all, DC did a fantastic job with the entire "Death of the Family" storyline in Batman, including all of the related titles.  I hope they collect all 23 issues in one chronological graphic novel.  That would make for one fantastic gift.  

I give DC an "A" for effort and an "A" for content, and it almost makes up for the ongoing Owls saga (know when to quit!).  Let's hope the next time we see the Joker, he's paired with the new, darker Harley Quinn (aka Harlequin). 

Wave 3 Washes Over DC Comics

With the cancellation of four DC titles (Justice League International, Captain Atom, Resurrection Man (ironic, right?), and Voodoo) came Wave 3 and the introduction of four new series.  This is about the three new titles that I've read; I refuse to read the fourth.

Talon.  Yes, I was as sick as everyone else reading about the Court of Owls in EVERY Batman-related title for months on end.  However, I was curious about this new title and one of the Talons as a supposed superhero.  Meh.  It's an interesting concept and I think the characterization of Calvin Rose has promise, but after reading Talon #0, it wasn't enough to get me hooked (pun intended).  

Sword of Sorcery.  Worst.  Title.  Ever.  Sadly, though, this was the title I was most excited about.  Why?  Amethyst!  She was one of my favorite characters in the 1980s and I loved her monthly adventures (up until they made her a Lord of Order).  They took a fun series with a fun, energetic, youthful character and made her all serious and boring in confusing, nonsensical storylines.  Blah!  The reintroduction of Amethyst in the new Sword of Sorcery comic was actually decent.  Instead of being a 13-year-old blond girl who steps into Gemworld as a blond adult, she's now an unpopular punk high school teenager with purple streaks through her dark hair who steps into Gemworld as a blond adult, much to her disgust.  The second story featuring a new character of Beowulf was just okay.  (Although the silver fox was pretty sexy in his tight black boxer briefs.)  I'll keep reading this comic for Amethyst, but I don't expect it to survive at a $3.99 price point.

Phantom Stranger.  I've never been a fan of the Phantom Stranger, and since the disintegration of the Outsiders at Dan Didio's generic writing hand, I wasn't a fan of his writing either (although I loved what he did with DC Comics as a leader to help turn it around several years ago).  I gave PS a shot, though, and surprisingly, this turned out to be my favorite comic in Wave 3.  The writing was spot-on and I loved the characterization of this wandering soul.  And -- spoiler alert -- we got two origin stories for the price of one in Phantom Stranger #0.  There are also ties to the mysterious Pandora, another mysterious character, and the Shazam family as well.  What I thought would be a so-so comic will probably be one of the first ones I read every month if the stories are as good and well-written as this one.

Team Seven.  A team of Punishers wielding guns.  'Nuf said.  No thanks. 

I still wish DC would combine elements of the New 52 with the former DCU and its well-established characters, though.  The replacements just aren't the same...and sadly probably never will be.  They're too angry and there's little room for characterization and  personalization of their private lives.

DC's Newest Comics

DC Comics announced today four new monthly series beginning this fall:  “Night of the Owls” spinoff Talon, the fantasy Sword of Sorcery (anchored by “Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld” with a “Beowulf” back-up), The Phantom Stranger, and the DCU/Wildstorm-merging Team Seven. I've already commented on Sword of Sorcery, so now I'll take a moment to comment on the others based on the information DC provided in their press release and images: 

Team 7?  Seriously?  A group of Punishers?  Pass.  

Does anyone really think that the Phantom Stranger can carry his own comic book series?  He may be okay as part of a team-up book, but no one's ever said, "The Phantom Stranger is my favorite superhero," have they?  

I will point out, though, that his newest look somewhat resembles one of my favorite character's costumes, Obsidian, who apparently doesn't exist in DC's New 52 because of his now-gay dad, Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern.  Sigh... :(

Of the four new announced series, Talon probably has the greatest chance of survival.  It has a good title and an interesting new character and scenario.

So, will I pick these up?  I probably will, except for Team 7, just to see what they're about.  But I don't imagine staying with them unless they're exceptional.  I'm already considering dropping a lot of my favorite pre-New 52 mainstays like Teen Titans because I'm not particular fond of the new vision.

Batman Overload

Batman #7 (volume two)

I just caught up reading three months of Batman (#s 5-7) where he is being "judged" by the Court of Owls.  Unfortunately, while the lead-up to the Court of Owls in earlier Batman issues was intriguing, these last few issues felt like a throwback to Grant Morrison's awful RIP story where Batman was delusional, hallucinating, etc. and the story went nowhere.  However, in the New 52, I'm not sure any of that RIP stuff even happened now.  But I do know that it's definitely re-happening in my head and giving me a headache and a case of the boredoms.  Let's hope Batman picks up soon before I drop this DC mainstay from my reading list.

While I'm on the subject of Batman and Grant Morrison, I'd like to comment that the latest Batman, Inc. series, with its first issue being released in May 2012. 

Batman Inc. #1 (volume two)

First issue summary: The series hits the ground running as BATMAN and ROBIN face off against the assassin GOATBOY! LEVIATHAN'S sinister mission revealed!

Second issue summary: This is the story of a man and a woman fighting over the heart and soul of their child. Unfortunately for the world, the man is BATMAN, the woman is TALIA AL GHUL, and the child is DAMIAN.

Where does the "Inc." in Batman, Inc. come into play?  I thought the intent was to be about an international web of Batman-related heroes?   Sounds to me like another Batman title to make money off the masses.  Because Batman, Detective Comics, Batman: The Dark Knight, and Batman & Robin weren't enough?  And that's not even including his appearances in Justice League or Justice League International.  Now that there's only one Batman in the New DC 52, where does he find the time?  If Batman needs a personal assistant to keep track of his calendar, I'm available.