Review! Detective Comics #872

Detective Comics #872

After reading Scott Snyder's debut issue of Detective Comics last month, I was really hoping it wasn't too good to be true. Could it be that there was an intriguing, street level, Dick Grayson as Batman book where he did actual detective work? Issue #872 has set my mind at ease. I didn't experience a hallucination, it is quite real.

Scott Snyder, of American Vampire fame, is crafting an intriguing mystery for our new Batman to solve. How are items from Gotham's rogues gallery ending up in the hands of wealthy citizens? The answer turns out to be fairly simple, but it's how Dick gets to the that answer makes it such a good read. Snyder has an excellent grasp on the character and his history. The dialogue between supporting cast members, especially Oracle, is strong and mindful of the past. I felt fully enveloped into their dark world.

We also have a new villain, named The Dealer. It was nice to see Snyder create a villain that's more cerebral than brutish. I've always thought they were better foils for Batman. I'm interested in seeing where this character goes. His spindly form may be hiding something far more sinister.

The art, by Jock, suits this title well. His characters are expressive and Batman looks terrifying when cloaked in the shadows. He's also mindful of Dick being a former acrobat. He has him twisting in various ways when going through the air. The art is moody and gritty, perfect for this story.

If you've been turned off by the time spanning adventures of Bruce Wayne, you'll want to read this book. It's what Batman is all about, solving crazy mysteries with insane villains. It's just that simple and just that good. He also rides a one wheel, rocket powered, flying motorcycle...just saying.

Review Teen Titans #88

Teen Titans #88

Take a good look at this cover. Notice how the characters are exploding off the page with smiles on their faces. That's because this book, much like Stella, has finally got its groove back. Keep in mind that they don't spend a Caribbean vacation Taye Diggs to do this. That's my obligatory "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" reference for this review.

The biggest change you're going to notice in this issue is going to be the roster. The fat has been trimmed and has been reverted back to the core members, as for as the 2000's are concerned. You have Superboy, Wonder Girl, Beast Boy, Kid Flash, Raven, Ravager, and another memeber that is revealed on the last page. To say that this mystery member has left me giddy for what is to come, is an understatement. It's a team that looks like it can do some damage, and it looks good.

J.T. Krul, writer, demonstrates a great understanding of these characters right from the beginning. It's very reminiscent of how Geoff Johns handled the characters when the series was rebooted several years ago. By that, I mean the characters are complex, interesting, and fun. He manages to throw in some new monkey wrenches into their lives in this issue, that are sure to make for some interesting moments in the future. He also has them beat down blood thirsty mutants in the first issue! Fantastic!

Nicola Scott really blew me away in this issue. The Teen Titans look phenomenal in this issue. He uses a lot of dynamic angles and poses for the characters, which make them look powerful. He reminds me a lot of Frank Cho, who is one my favorite artists. He also made Raven and Beast Boy look older than the rest of their team mates. I only point that out, because they're supposed to be. I usually seem them as still being drawn as teenagers, as opposed to the mentors of the group. It's awesome stuff and I hope he stays on this book for a while.

If you felt like Teen Titans left you out in the cold a long time ago, then come back into the warmth. The weather is beautiful on Titans island and looks like things are only going to get better from here.

-Action Chad
@chadventure
chad@coastcitycomics.net

Digital Justice!

A Batman of the future fights a Joker virus in probably the worst Batman story ever written.



If you read this book, you will wish you were dead. I can't put it any other way. I would say this is the worst comic book I have ever read, but I can't. The reason why I can't say that is because I didn't finish the book. The interiors of this thing gave me a headache! I had to put it down and and go outside to make sure there were other colors besides blue and purple. Take a look at these scans!
It's like staring into cancer! The computer graphics are terrible, but not as bad as the actual drawings they law over them. The people in this book look atrocious. What makes it worse is that the artist takes these crap drawings and then copies and pastes them all throughout the book! Look at the second page on the bottom panel. They used the same guard three times! Not even Greg Land would be that lazy! <-- That one is for Tony.

And get a load of the writer on the back cover!

Three computer monitors? Really? Is there where you go to craft the new digital masterpieces of the future with your advanced digital tools? Does purple lightning help free your mind from all the norms of society? False! You look ridiculous, almost as much as you do pompous!

You may be thinking "Chad, why are you being so hard on this guy? It's not like he said this was going to be compared to 1984 or anything!" Oh yeah? Read this!

Yeah he did do that! This guy really thought that this book was going to be considered a critically acclaimed masterpiece. The big problem he had is that he was too preoccupied criticizing and embodying technology to write a story that did not make you wish you were dead.