#IReadsYou Movie Review: SUPERMAN: Doomsday

Superman: Doomsday (2007)

Running time:  74 minutes (1 hour, 14 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13
DIRECTOR:  Bruce Timm, Lauren Montgomery, and Brandon Vietti
WRITERS:  Duane Capizzi; from a story by Bruce Timm and Duane Capizzi
PRODUCER:  Bruce Timm
EDITOR:  Joe Gall
COMPOSER: Robert Kral

ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/ACTION/DRAMA

Starring:  (voices) Adam Baldwin, Anne Heche, James Marsters, John Di Maggio, Tom Kenny, Swoosie Kurtz, Cree Summer, Ray Wise, and Adam Wylie

Superman: Doomsday is a 2007 direct-to-video animated superhero film.  It is based on “The Death of Superman,” a 1992 story line that ran through DC Comics’ various Superman comic books and that culminated in the death of Superman in Superman #75 (1987 series; cover dated: January 1993).  Superman: Doomsday was the first release in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies from Warner Premiere (a now closed label of Warner Home Video) and Warner Bros. Animation.

In Superman: Doomsday, Lex Luthor (James Marsters), through his company, LexCorp, unleashes a powerful alien monster known as “Doomsday,” from his burial place deep in the Earth.  Doomsday then goes on a murderous and destructive rampage.  It’s up to Superman (Adam Baldwin) to defend the Earth, but at the apparent cost of his life.

Later, after his burial, Superman appears to have risen from the dead.  Lois Lane (Anne Heche), his secret lover, is suspicious.  With the reluctant assistance of fellow Daily Planet reporter, Jimmy Olsen (Adam Wylie), Lois seeks the truth and discovers that Lex Luthor is behind this risen Superman, who certainly doesn’t seem like his old self.

Bruce Timm was known as one of the minds behind the popular animated TV program, “Batman: The Animated Series” (1992-95).  He wears many hats in the production of this straight to video film, Superman: Doomsday, although the look of the animation in this film is different from Timm’s earlier work.  In fact, the character design is streamlined with crisp line work, and the art direction emphasizes rich, dark colors.  Technically, the animation is quite good (although the movement of the characters is often a bit awkward and stiff), which is essential in a film with so many extended, elaborate fight sequences and scenes of destruction and explosions that rival big-budget Hollywood sci-fi and action movies.

The problem is the story and voice acting.  Not only is the narrative’s mood very dark, but the film is often violent, shockingly so, as Doomsday often kills humans – sometimes ever so slightly off screen.  That’s not really a problem, except for very young viewers.  The problem is the leaden pacing and flat mood in what should otherwise be an exciting and riveting movie.  Superman’s death and resurrection just doesn’t have the emotional impact they should have.

Superman: Doomsday is a picture show of pretty and quality animation.  It just doesn’t live up to its potential as an epic story.

C+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Movie Review: BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT Powered by Strong Characters

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – video (2018)

Running time:  78 minutes (1 hour, 18 minutes)
MPAA – R for some violence
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR:  Sam Liu
WRITERS:  Jim Krieg (based on characters from the graphic novel, Gotham by Gaslight, by Brian Augustyn and Mike Mignola)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Sam Register and Bruce Timm and Benjamin Melniker & Michael Uslan
EDITOR:  Christopher D. Lozinski
COMPOSER:  Frederik Wiedmann  
ANIMATION STUDIO:  The AnswerStudio

ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/ACTION/FANTASY

Starring:  (voices) Bruce Greenwood, Jennifer Carpenter, Scott Patterson, John DiMaggio, Grey Griffin, Anthony Head, Bob Joles, Yuri Lowenthal, William Salyers, and Tara Strong

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight is a 2018 straight-to-video animated superhero film from Warner Bros. Animation and director Sam Lui.  It is the thirtieth film in the “DC Universe Animated Original Movies” series.  It is also a loose adaptation of the 1989 Batman graphic novel, Gotham by Gaslight, written by Brian Augustyn and drawn by Mike Mignola and P. Craig Russell.  Batman: Gotham by Gaslight is set in an alternate world in which Batman begins his war on crime in Victorian Age Gotham City just as Jack the Ripper begins killing women in the city.

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight opens in Victorian-era Gotham City.  A serial killer called “Jack the Ripper” is killing Gotham's poor and destitute women, especially in the area of the city known as “Skinner's End.”  Bruce Wayne (Bruce Greenwood) is also operating in the city as the bat-garbed vigilante, “the Batman.”  One night, Batman saves an unwary couple from being robbed by a trio of orphans who are in service of an abusive criminal handler.  At the same time, Pamela Isley, a prostitute and exotic dancer who performs under the name “Ivy the Plant Lady,” encounters Jack the Ripper, who savagely kills her.

Many citizens of Gotham believe that the Batman and Jack are the same man.  Stage actress, Selina Kyle (Jennifer Carpenter), is a protector of the women of “Skinner's End.”  She berates Gotham Police Commissioner James Gordon (Scott Patterson) and Chief of Police Harvey “Bulldog” Bullock (John DiMaggio) for their failure to stop the Ripper murders.  Later, when the Ripper targets Selina, Batman rescues her, but Batman discovers that Jack the Ripper is a formidable opponent who possesses the fighting skill to defeat him.  Initially, Selina rebukes Batman, but soon the two begin working together, even as the city prepares to blame Bruce Wayne for all the Ripper murders.

Writer Jim Krieg, probably one of Warner Bros. Animation's best writers (if not the best, as far as I'm concerned), has fashioned, in Batman: Gotham by Gaslight, a Batman “cinematic universe” that could be as interesting as any other world of Batman films.  Taking the source material (the Gotham by Gaslight comic), Krieg has created a world that has possibilities rather than just being a one-off, alternate-universe spin on Batman.  Batman: Gotham by Gaslight feels like it has a tangible back story behind it and an unknown, but full future ahead of it.

Krieg fills Batman: Gotham by Gaslight with highly-developed versions of familiar Batman characters.  Here, Bruce Wayne and Batman are one and the same; there is no light and dark, separate personalities so much as there is a man who understands the right time and right place to put on the correct public face – or mask, as it may be.

All the supporting characters are strong.  In fact, Batman: Gotham by Gaslight's Selina Kyle could carry her own film.  She is fierce and independent; she is beautiful and personable, even when she is being forceful in her mission to protect poor women.  Hugo Strange (William Salyers) is what some critics might call “deliciously devious,” while Alfred Pennyworth is devious in a benevolent and sly way.  And I can't help but love the “cock robins,” Dickie, Jason, and Timmy.

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight is pretty in its graphic design and art direction, and the animation moves smoothly.  Director Sam Liu oversees a film that not only plays a mystery, but offers an actually mystery that requires Batman and Selina Kyle to do some investigating.  The film's last act – a rousing section of prison escapes, brutal fights, and a burning park – is perfect escapism and also entertainment with a touch of art.  I thought that I might like Batman: Gotham by Gaslight, and I did.  I simply got far more joy out of it than I imagined I would.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved.  Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Movie Review: BATMAN AND HARLEY QUINN Has Lovable Heroes, Dull Villains

BATMAN AND HARLEY QUINN – video (2017)

Running time:  74 minutes (1 hour, 24 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sexual content, language, violence and action, and for rude humor
DIRECTOR:  Sam Liu
WRITERS:  Bruce Timm and Jim Krieg; from a story by Bruce Timm (based on characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics)
EDITOR:  Christopher D. Lozinski
COMPOSERS:  Kristopher Carter Michael McCuistion Lolita Ritmanis
ANIMATION STUDIO:  DR Movie

ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/ACTION/FANTASY

Starring:  (voices) Kevin Conroy, Melissa Rauch, Loren Lester, Paget Brewster, Kevin Michael Richardson, John DiMaggio, Eric Bauza, Robin Atkin Downes, Trevor Devall, Rob Paulsen, Mindy Sterling, and Bruce Timm

Batman and Harley Quinn is a 2017 straight-to-video animated superhero film from Warner Bros. Animation and director Sam Lui.  The film shares a connection and design style with the animated television series, “The New Batman Adventures” (1997-99), and is spiritually related to that series' predecessor, “Batman: The Animated Series” (1992-95), which is the series in which Harley Quinn made her first appearance.  In Batman and Harley Quinn, Batman and Nightwing are forced to team with Harley Quinn in order to stop a global threat.

Batman and Harley Quinn opens with Batman (Kevin Conroy) and his partner, Nightwing (Loren Lester), who was once known as Robin, the Boy Wonder.  The duo has discovered that the villainess, Poison Ivy / Pamela Isley (Paget Brewster) has teamed up with Jason Woodrue, the Floronic Man (Kevin Michael Richardson), an alien plant creature that shares Poison Ivy's desire to give plants supremacy of Earth over humanity.  Poison Ivy and Floronic Man plan to create their own viral version of the “bio-restorative formula” that transformed Dr. Alec Holland into the Swamp Thing (John DiMaggio).  To that end, they have kidnapped a scientist, Dr. Harold Goldblum (Rob Paulsen), and forced him to help them replicate the formula.

Ivy and Woodrue are unaware that their altered formula could destroy all life (human, animal, and plant), so Batman and Nightwing must stop them before they finish their formula.  However, “the Dynamic Duo” are struggling in their mission to find the villains and reluctantly turn to Ivy's best friend, Harley Quinn (Melissa Rauch), in the hopes that she will have an idea or two on where to find Ivy.  But Harley has gone into hiding after her most recent recent parole from imprisonment.  Finding Harley won't be easy, and who says she wants to help Batman and Nightwing find her BFF – best friend forever!  And if she does cooperate, can Batman and Nightwing trust Harley?

Bruce Timm was one of the main creative forces behind “Batman: The Animated Series” and “The New Batman Adventures,” as well as other wonderful animated television series that featured DC Comics superheroes.  So I am always happy when he returns to his corner of the animated DC Universe, this time as a writer and executive producer.  One of my favorite animation writers, Jim Krieg, co-wrote Batman and Harley Quinn with Timm.  Voice actor Kevin Conroy, who is beloved for his work playing the voice of Batman / Bruce Wayne on several animated TV series and films, also returns as the voice of Batman for this film.

So I have a few reasons to love Batman and Harley Quinn, and I did indeed enjoy it, but it isn't one of the better direct-to-DVD animated DC Universe films.  The Floronic Man is an uninteresting bag of wind as a villain despite the best efforts of talented voice actor, Kevin Michael Richardson.  Also the Poison Ivy of this film is shallow, and looks weird.

The plot is lame, but their a few things that make me like Batman and Harley Quinn.  First, Timm and Krieg offer strong takes on the characters of Batman, Nightwing, and Harley, and the relationship dynamic between them as a trio or as a trio of duos sparkles with wit and genuine feeling.  Secondly, there are some surprisingly magical moments in this film, such as the karaoke medley in the middle of the film.  The Sarge Steel (John DiMaggio) and A.R.G.U.S. subplot is nice.  Finally, I love the design of the animation and the animation in general in this film.  It is as if “The New Batman Adventures” returned from the old cartoons graveyard for an hour or so.

Despite my reservations concerning its weak plot and villains, I highly recommend Batman and Harley Quinn to fans of Bruce Timm's 1990s Batman TV shows.  When it comes to animation overseen by Timm, I'll take anything and everything I can get.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved.  Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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I Reads You Juniors August 2020 - Update #100

"Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

IN MEMORIAM - From Variety:  The actor Chadwick Boseman has died at the age of 43, Friday, August 27, 2020, after a four-year battle with cancel.  Boseman was best known for playing T'Challa/Black Panther in Marvel Studios' 2018, Oscar-winning, recording-setting film, "Black Panther."  Boseman also appeared in a number of biopics:  Jackie Robinson in "42" (2013); James Brown in "Get on Up" (2014), and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in "Marshall" (2017).

From TheStar:  "We lost our own superhero." How Chadwick Boseman — as a Black superhero on the big screen — made families feel seen.
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AWARDS - From TheBeat:  2020 Harvey Awards nominations have been announced.  The winners will be announced at New York Comic-Con Metaverse vitrual event in October.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Kieron Gillen talks about 10 months of his life writing Marvel Comics' new "Eternals" comic book series.

MILLARWORLD - From BleedingCool:  Superstar comic book writer and Netflix executive, Mark Millar, talks about his upcoming comic books, including "Jupiter's Legacy 3," "The Magic Order 2," and "Prodigy 2."

DC FANDOME - From DCFanDome:  "DC FanDome is live.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:  "Justice League: Snyder Cut" will be released as four one-hour installments on HBO Max. This article includes a trailer.

DC CINEMA - From GameSpot:  The first trailer for director Matt Reeves "The Batman" has arrived. Actor Robert Pattinson stars as Batman/Bruce Wayne.

DC CINEMA - From THR:  "Official main trailer" for "Wonder Woman 1984." The film due October 2, 2020,

DC CINEMA - From ScreenGeek:  The first trailer for "Justice League Snyder Cut" is out there, but Warner's is doing its best to silence it.

DC CINEMA - From ScreenGeek:  Out of FanDome came a sneak peek at director James Gunn's "The Suicide Squad."

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson previews his costume for the DC Extended Universe film, "Black Adam," which is still scheduled for a December 2021 debut.

DC FANDOME - From BleedingCool:  For "DC FanDome," Jim Lee created a superhero based on guest, professional tennis champion, "Venus Williams."
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DARK HORSE - From CBR:  Dark Horse Comics is publishing a comic book adaptation of Neil Gaiman's 2017 book, "Norse Mythology."  Due to start this Fall, "Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology" will feature art by P. Craig Russell, Mike Mignola, and Jerry Ordway.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics is publishing a portfolio featuring the art of hot cover artist, Peach Momoko.  It will be entitled "Marvel Portfolio: Peach Momoko."

COMICS - From THR:  Vault Comics announces "I Walk With Monsters" from writer Paul Cornell.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics will release an omnibus collecting Dark Horse Comics' "Aliens" comic books published from 1988 to 1992.  Marvel recently obtained the license to publish comic books based on the film "Alien" (1979) and its sequels and spinoffs, which Dark Horse had since the late 1980s.

SONY MARVEL U - From Deadline:  Sony Pictures is eyeing director J.C. Chandor ("Margin Call") to direct its "Kraven the Hunter" movie based on the classic Spider-Man villain.

DC CINEMA - From ComicBook:  A few months ago, it was announced that the Batman played by Michael Keaton in two films ("Batman" and "Batman Returns") would appear in Warner Bros.' planned DC Comics movie, "The Flash."  Now, according to reports, the Batman played by Ben Affleck ("Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice," "Suicide Squad," and "Justice League") will also appear in "The Flash."

COMIC SHOPS - From BleedingCool:  Lashawn Colvin is opening a new comic book store, making her the first Black woman in U.S. south to own a comic book shop.  Comics & Geeks of Alabama will be opening in early October, and is located at 1264 Perry Hill Road, Montgomery, Alabama.

DC FANDOME - From GamesRadar:  The site has a schedule of events for DC Comics' "DC Fandome," which occurs Sat., Aug. 22nd.

SONY MARVEL U - From Variety:  Actress Olivia Wilde has signed a deal with Sony Pictures to develop and direct an untitled female-centric Marvel film project.

MARVEL - From Marvel:  The "Eternals" are coming back to comic books in November, and Marvel has released a trailer to announce it.

DC FANDOME - From CBR:  DC Comics has announced that its "DC Fandome" event will not be divided into two separate virtual events.  The first will be held on Sat., Aug. 22nd, 2020 as planned.  The second will be held Sat., Sept. 10th, 2020.

COMICS TO FILM - From THR:  The site remembers director Edgar Wright's 2010 film, "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," on the tenth anniversary of its release.  The film is based on cartoonist Bryan Lee O'Malley's "Scott Pilgrim" graphic novels.

IMAGE COMICS - From CBR:  Superstar comic book writer, Scott Snyder, has a new creator-owned imprint at Image Comics, "Best Jackett Press."  But he isn't moving his own creator-owned titles, "Wytches" and "Undiscovered Country" to that label.

DC CINEMA - From CBR:  Producer Charles Roven speaks to home the upcoming sequel, "Wonder Woman 1984," does and doesn't tie into the "DC Extended Universe" (DCEU).

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "Chex Mix" cereal is sending a free comic book anthology to comic book stories (via Diamond Comics Distributors) next week.

DC TV-FANDOME - From BleedingCool:  Did Jim Lee just draw the first look at actress Javicia Leslie's "Ryan Wilder/Batwoman," who will take over The CW's "Batwoman" from actress Ruby Rose's "Kate Kane/Batwoman?"

MANGA - From ANN:  Inia Asano has put his crazy manga, "Dead Dead Demon's Dededededestruction," on hiatus until the winter.

MANGA - From CBR:  A look at ONE, the writer-artist who created the manga, "One-Punch Man."

MARVEL - From Truthout:  Marvel Comics’ “The Punisher” was a hate symbol long before police co-opted his character.

FRANK MILLER - From CBR:  Yes, Zack Snyder's film, "300," is still problematic and racist, as was its source material, Frank Miller's comic book miniseries, "300."

JIM LEE - From THR:   Jim Lee, DC Comics' Publisher, gives a wide ranging interview to "The Hollywood Reporter" about the recent changes at the comics publisher.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Marie Javins and Michele Wells are interim Editor-in-Chiefs at DC Comics after former EiC Bob Harras was "laid off."

MARVEL TV - From TheWrap:  With each passing season, ABC's "Marvel's Agents of SHIELD" experienced a steep drop in ratings.  The series recently ended after sevens seasons and 136 episodes.

ALAN MOORE - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will publish Alan Moore's "Twilight of the Superheroes" proposal, which was meant to be a big post-"Crisis on Infinite Earths" event, in a collection of DC comics stories from the 1980s.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  According to the site, with DC Comics' November 2020 solicitations, five more titles have been cancelled, including "John Constantine Hellblazer," "Teen Titans," and "Young Justice."

IMAGE - From BleedingCool:  Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander's vampire comic book, "Killadelphia," has seen a 40 percent increase in sales from issue #6 to #7.

DC CINEMA - From IndieWire:  Actor Ray Fisher, who played "Cyborg" in the "Justice League" movie, says that former DC Comics executive, Geoff Johns, threatened his career after he (Fisher) complained about director Joss Whedon's on-set behavior during reshoots for "Justice League."

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DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  There was a DC Comics "townhall" meeting involving remaining executives and staff.  The publisher will issue press releases afterwards.

From BleedingCool:  Is DC Comics going into a new two-year plan?

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' next big think, "Generations," has apparently been cancelled.

From THR:  The WarnerMedia layoffs that have been roiling Hollywood hit DC Comics and the DC Universe streaming service today (Mon., Aug. 10th), with Bob Harras and Hank Kanalz among the laid off.  DC Direct, the in-house merchandise and collectibles manufacturer, has also been shuttered.

From BleedingCool:  The site has something to say about the DC Comics layoffs.

From BleedingCool:  There are rumors of a new DC Comics "implosion," as the number of titles may be cancelled.
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COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Writer-artist Johnnie Christmas has just sold at auction three middle-grade graphic novels to HarperAlley, the graphic novel imprint of HarperCollins Childrens.

DC CINEMA - From THR:  The voice cast has been revealed for the 42nd DC Universe animated film (straight to DVD), "Batman: Soul of the Dragon."  Executive produced by Bruce Timm, the film is due in early 2021.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Oscar-winning screenwriter John Ridley's oft-delayed "The Other History of the DC Universe" is apparently happening now.  First issue is due Nov. 2020.

BATMAN - From BleedingCool:  Legendary X-Men writer, Chris Claremont, shares with his Facebook followers his pitch for a Young Adult Batman story.

DC COMICS - From Deadline:  "DC Fandome" announces it impressive line-up of stars.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From WeGotThisCovered:  The hot rumor is that Marvel Studios is considering actor Shia LaBeouf for the character "Iceman" in its "X-Men" reboot.

DC CINEMA - From YahooTotalFilm:  New image from Zack Snyder's "Justice League" film reveals original design for the villain, Steppenwolf.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:  John Walker the "U.S. Agent," the character that once replaced Steve Rogers as Captain America, will be back in a new miniseries written by Christopher Priest and drawn by Stefano Landini.

COMICS - From TheBeat:  Former Disney Channel child star, Dylan Sprouse ("The Suite Life" series), talks about his new comic book, Sun Eater, from Heavy Metal... and also about making mead.

ANIME - From Variety:  Japan's leading anime content providers have banded together to start a YouTube channel, "Animelog."  The goal is to have 30 companies provide 3000 anime titles by 2022.

LEGAL - From BleedingCool:  Updates on the Richards Meyers vs. Mark Waid legal case.

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  Kodansha and comiXology will publishing a complete English-language edition of the entire run of the "Shaman King" manga for the first time.

MANGA - From ComicBook:  Fans online are asking that a number of manga published in the 1980s be adapted into anime, including "Fist of the North Star" and "Slam Dunk."

IDW - From BleedingCool:  The publisher has reportedly fired its recently promoted publishers, Jud Meyers.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Some Mark Waid, Alex Ross, DC Comics gossip.

DC COMICS - From YahooEntertainment:  DC Comics gets in social media hot water over the term, "blerd" (black nerd).

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  Yen Press announces 10 new manga and light novel titles for August 2020.

DARK HORSE - From BleedingCool:  The three best-selling comic books on Amazon right now are the three volumes of "The Umbrella Academy" from Dark Horse Comics.  Netflix's adaptation of the comic book just made its second season debut.

DC CINEMA - From BleedingCool:  Director James Gunn has revealed a new logo for his upcoming film, "The Suicide Squad."  Details about the film will be revealed Aug. 22nd at "DCFandome."

From YahooEntertainment:  In a birthday video, some of "The Suicide Squad" actors may reveal the characters they are playing in the film.
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MARVEL COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics has cancelled its current "Doctor Strange" comic book series with today's (8/5) release of "Doctor Strange #6."

NEWSPAPER COMICS - From YahooEntertainment:  A black cartoonist, Bianca Xunise, is one of the six female cartoonists who create the collaborative comic comic strip, "Six Chix."  A recent episode of "Six Chix," produced by Xunise got "Six Chix" cancelled by some of its more than 120 clients.

DC COMICS - From TheBeat:   The first three issues of DC Comics' digital-first series, "Injustice: Year Zero," debuted today.  Each issues costs .99 cents or $2.49 for a bundle of three.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The site has details on writer Ridley Pearson and artist Berat Pekmezci's original graphic novel trilogy, "The Indestructibles," the first volume of which is due in March 2021.

MANGA - From OtakuStudy:  Square Enix Manga & Books new manga acquisitions for 2021.

eREADERS - From GoodEReads:  The site recommends the "The Pocketbook Color" e-reader for reading manga and comics.

DIGITAL - From MediaPost:  "Batman" comic book writer, James Tynion IV, has launched a digital horror anthology, "Razorblades: The Horror Magazine."

MANGA TO ANIME - From CBR:  There is an English-dub trailer for anime film, "Demon Slayer-Kimetsu no Yaiba-The Movie: Mugen Train," an anime adaptation of the manga, "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba."  The film may be released in the U.S. in 2021.

SCANDAL - From THR:  This article says that the "comic book industry reckons with abuse claims."  [As far as I'm concerned, at least they are pretending to reckon. - Leroy]

MANGA - From CBR:  A guide to three manga that won awards at the 2020 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards.

EASTERN COMICS - From CBR:  The difference between manga (Japan), manhwa (Korea), and manhua (China).

COMICS - From Rappler:  Why adults still read comic books  [Well, I just love the medium. - Leroy]

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  The "RunDMC" comic book from Rob Guillory, Amy Chu, and Larry Hama has debuted on Playbo.com.

SCANDAL - From BleedingCool:  Comic book writer Warren Ellis has been the subject of numerous sexual abuse allegations.  He is also creator, writer, and producer of Netflix's hit animated series, "Castlevania."  Ellis has finished his work on the upcoming fourth season of the series, but "word" is that he will not be back for any potential future seasons after the fourth.

FOX MARVEL U - From THR:  How the success of the first X-Men (2000) film made Bryan Singer into a monster.

MANGA - From ScreenRant:  Horror manga master, Junji Ito, says that he would like to collaborate with master of horror, Stephen King...

MANGA - From Epicstream:  Toonami co-founder, Jason Demarco, talks about what separates manga from Western comic books.

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AUGUST 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  AWA for August 2020
From CBR:  DC Comics for August 2020
From FirstComicsNews:  IDW Publishing for August 2020
From Seibertron:  IDW Publishing's "Transformers" solicitations for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for August 2020
From CBR:  Marvel Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  PS Artbooks for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for August 2020

SEPTEMBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for September 2020
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for September 2020

OCTOBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Albatross Funnybooks for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for October 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for October 2020

NOVEMBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Abaze for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press/Lion Forge for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Entertainment for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for November 2020
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for November 2020

DECEMBER 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool: VIZ Media for December 2020



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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 10, 2019

DC COMICS

MAY190383    BATMAN #74    $3.99
MAY190384    BATMAN #74 VAR ED    $3.99
MAY190389    BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #3 CARD STOCK VAR ED YOTV THE OFFER    $4.99
MAY190388    BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #3 YOTV THE OFFER    $3.99
JAN190708    BATMAN BLACK & WHITE MINI PVC FIGURE 7 PACK SET 2    $35.00
DEC180681    BATMAN FAMILY ROBIN MULTI PART STATUE    $80.00
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MAY190400    DETECTIVE COMICS #1007    $3.99
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MAY190368    DOOM PATROL WEIGHT OF THE WORLDS #1 VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
MAY198155    DOOMSDAY CLOCK #9 (OF 12) 2ND PTG    $4.99
MAY190406    EVENT LEVIATHAN #2 (OF 6)    $3.99
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MAY190409    FLASH #74    $3.99
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APR190544    GREEN LANTERN HC VOL 01 INTERGALACTIC LAWMAN    $24.99
MAY190420    HAWKMAN #14 CARD STOCK VAR ED YOTV THE OFFER    $4.99
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MAY190422    HOUSE OF WHISPERS #11 (MR)    $3.99
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APR190567    TRIALS OF SHAZAM THE COMPLETE SERIES TP    $24.99
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Review: DETECTIVE COMICS #1000

DETECTIVE COMICS No. 1000
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

EDITORS: Chris Conroy and Dave Wielgosz
COVER: Jim Lee and Scott Williams with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Steve Rude; Bruce Timm; Michael Cho; Jim Steranko; Bernie Wrightson with Alex Sinclair; Frank Miller with Alex Sinclair; Tim Sale with Brennen Wagner; Jock; Greg Capullo with FCO Plascencia
MISC. ART: Mikel Janin; Jason Fabok with Brad Anderson; Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts;
96pp, Color, $9.99 U.S. (May 2019)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Detective Comics is an American comic book series published by DC Comics, and it is the longest continuously published comic book periodical in the United States, according to the Guinness World Records.  Its first issue, Detective Comics #1 (cover dated:  March 1937), was published by Detective Comics, Inc., a forerunner of DC Comics.  Detective Comics is best known as the comic book series in which Batman/Bruce Wayne first appeared, in Detective Comics #27 (cover dated:  May 1939).

The first volume of Detective Comics was published from 1937 to 2011 (for 881 issues).  Then, as part of “The New 52” initiative, the series was relaunched in the fall of 2011 with a new Detective Comics #1 (cover dated:  November 2011).  In 2016, after 52 issues of “The New 52” run, Detective Comics reverted to what would have been its original numbering if it had not been relaunched – with Detective Comics #934 (cover dated:  Early August 2016).

March 30, 2019 marked the 80th anniversary of the first appearance of Batman.  Although Detective Comics #27's cover date is May 1937, it apparently debuted for sale March 30, 1939.  Just in time for this Bat-birthday is the arrival of Detective Comics #1000.

To celebrate, Detective Comics #1000 is an anthology (which the series originally was) featuring ten short stories created by an “all-star” list of comic book creators.  It also features a twelve-page preview of Detective Comics #1001 and has three pin-up illustrations.

For this review of Detective Comics #1000, I'll offer a few comments one each story:

“Batman's Longest Case”
STORY: Scott Snyder
PENCILS: Greg Capullo
INKS: Jonathan Glapion
COLORS: FCO Plascencia
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano

Snyder and Capullo have been THE rock star Batman creative team of this decade, but this story, introducing another of Snyder's contrived secret societies, is a misfire.

“Manufacture for Use”
STORY: Kevin Smith
PENCILS: Jim Lee
INKS: Scott Williams
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Todd Klein

I think this is the first story I have ever read this is about the gun that killed Bruce Wayne's parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne.  I like this slightly imaginative slash inventive tale from filmmaker and sometimes comic book writer, Kevin Smith.  The art is standard Jim Lee Batman art – not Lee's best work, obviously.  The coloring by Alex Sinclair is gorgeous though.

“The Legend of Knute Brody”
STORY: Paul Dini
PENCILS: Dustin Nguyen
INKS: Derek Fridolfs
COLORS: John Kalisz
LETTERS: Steve Wands

This is another good idea turned poorly executed Paul Dini story from Paul Dini.  However, this story has the best Dustin Nguyen art I have seen in quite awhile; maybe Derek Fridolfs' inking helped.  John Kalisz colors are also nice.

“The Batman's Design”
STORY: Warren Ellis
ART: Becky Cloonan
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: Simon Bowland

The art team of Becky Cloonan and colorist Jordie Belliare produce some attractive art for this story.  Warren Ellis offers a thoughtful examination of how young men can end up as violent, remorseless criminals.  Ellis also presents a rather screwy, oddball version of what mercy from Batman looks like.  This is a nice story.

“Return to Crime Alley”
STORY: Denny O'Neil
ART: Steve Epting
COLORS: Elizabeth Breitweiser
LETTERS: Andworld Design

If any writer deserved to have a spot in Detective Comics #1000, it is classic Batman writer, Denny O'Neil.  His offering for this anniversary comic book features a Batman supporting character, Leslie Thompkins, that O'Neil created with artist Dick Giordano.  This is a powerful, powerful tale starring the one of the few characters who can give both Batman and Bruce Wayne pause.  Steve Epting's beautiful illustrations, Elizabeth Breitweiser's watercolor-like hues, and Andworld Design's lettering make this the best story in Detective Comics #1000.

“Heretic”
STORY: Christopher Priest
ART: Neal Adams
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Willie Schubert

The second best story in Detective Comics #1000, “Heretic,” features art by one of the greatest Batman artists of all time, Neal Adams.  It is set in the world of Ra's al Ghul, a character that Adams had a hand in creating.  Christopher Priest offers a potent tale about the fate of those become ensnared in both Batman and al Ghul's sphere of existence.

“I Know”
STORY: Brian Michael Bendis
ART/COLORS: Alex Maleev
LETTERS: Josh Reed

Okay.  The third best tale in this comic book is Bendis and Maleev's “I Know,” which depicts a confrontation between an aged Bruce Wayne and The Penguin.  This is an edgy tale with a Film-Noir feel, and I really like Maleev's design of each page.

“The Last Crime in Gotham”
STORY: Geoff Johns
ART: Kelley Jones
COLORS: Michelle Madsen
LETTERS: Rob Leigh

This is a nice tale by Johns and Jones.  This isn't Jones' best Batman work, but it is nice, and it is made all the better by Michelle Madsen's (as usual) gorgeous coloring.

“The Precedent”
STORY: James Tynion IV
PENCILS: Alvaro Martinez-Bueno
INKS: Raul Fernandez
COLORS: Brad Anderson
LETTERS: Sal Cipriano

This is a nice, sentimental tale about the importance of Dick Grayson/Robin to Bruce Wayne/Batman.  The art team, the colorist, and the letterer turn in some pretty art.  Brad Anderson's colors are practically radiant.

“Batman's Greatest Case”
STORY: Tom King
ART: Tony S. Daniel and Joëlle Jones
COLORS: Tomeu Morey
LETTERS: Clayton Cowles

Meh.

“Medieval”
STORY: Peter J. Tomasi
PENCILS: Doug Mahnke
INKS: Jaime Mendoza and Doug Mahnke
COLORS: David Baron
LETTERS: Rob Leigh

This is story is basically twelve pages of filler exposition, but the art, colors, and letters are eye-catching.  “Medieval” also offers the preview of a big character debut that is supposed to happen in Detective Comics #1001.

Detective Comics #1000 is, by my estimation, better than last year's Action Comics #1000, which was apparently the bestselling comic book of 2018.  I think many of the creative teams in Detective Comics #1000 are better at capturing the history and characteristics of Batman and his supporting cast, than their Action Comics #1000 equals were with Superman, even if the Batman teams largely fail to tell stories that convey the mystique of Batman.

It took a little over eighty-two years for Detective Comics to get to one thousand issues, so many of the Batman writers, artists, and editors who established the character are deceased.  The shame of it is that many of the people who really deserve to contribute to Detective Comics #1000 are long gone from the world of the living, that includes Batman creators, artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger (arguably the greatest Batman writer of all time).

I would replace most of the artists in Detective Comics #1000 with such late luminaries as Carmine Infantino (one of the most important Batman artists of all time), Jim Aparo, Bob Brown, Gene Colan, Sheldon Moldoff, Don Newton, Marshall Rogers, and Dick Sprang, to name a few.  I would brush away almost all the writers who actually appear in this comic book for a number of Batman writers who are deceased, such as John Broome, Gardner Fox, and Frank Robbins, to name a few.

There are quite a few living Batman creators who should have stories here:  writers Mike W. Barr, Gerry Conway, Steve Englehart (a frickin' crime that he is not included here, really) Doug Moench, Grant Morrison, and artists Brian Bolland and Alan Davis, to name a few.  Frank Miller provides a variant cover for Detective Comics #1000, but...  Also, Alan Moore...

But I have learned to take what I get... even when there could be better.  Detective Comics #1000 will be the high-water mark for one-thousandth issues until some other titles reaches a thousandth issue.  Oh, well.

7 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

------------------------

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 1, 2019

DC COMICS

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MAR190487    BATMAN #70    $3.99
MAR190488    BATMAN #70 VAR ED    $3.99
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Review: THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE #1

THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE No. 1 (OF 12)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Dan Didio; Dan Abnett
PENCILS: Keith Giffen; Dale Eaglesham
INKS: Scott Koblish; Dale Eaglesham
COLORS: Hi-Fi
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Bruce Timm
VARIANT COVER: Keith Giffen with Hi-Fi; Dale Eaglesham with Jason Wright
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (March 2017)

Rated “T” for Teen

Kamandi created by Jack Kirby

“The Rules” and “K -- is for 'Kill'!”

Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth was a comic book created by writer-artist Jack Kirby and published by DC Comics. The series, which ran from 1972 to 1978, starred Kamandi, a teenaged boy in a post-apocalyptic future, in which humans have been reduced back to savagery in a world ruled by intelligent, highly evolved animals.

Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth #1 (cover dated: October 1972) opens some time after a huge event called “The Great Disaster,” which wiped out human civilization.  In “Earth A.D.” (After Disaster), many animals have become humanoid, bipedal, and sentient, and also possess the power of speech. These newly intelligent animal species have equipped themselves with weapons and technology salvaged from the ruins of human civilization and are constantly at war in a struggle for territory.

The world of Kamandi returns in the new DC Comics miniseries, The Kamandi Challenge, bringing together 14 teams of writers and artists.  Each issue will end with an cliffhanger.  The next creative team will resolve that cliffhanger before creating their own, which the next creative team after them will have to resolve... and so on.

The Kamandi Challenge #1 opens with “The Rules” by the team of writer Dan DiDio and artists Keith Giffen and Scott Koblish.  In a pastoral borough, a teenage boy awakens, late for the school bus.  Rushing to school, everything seems normal until the sky cracks opens and giant talking rats attack, revealing that nothing is what he thought it was.

“K -- is for 'Kill'!” is by the second creative team of writer Dan Abnett and artist Dale Eaglesham.  The story places the boy, Kamandi, in a world full of animals that walk and talk like humans.  Specifically in “Tiger City,” our young hero is thrown into the arena of blood sport and he must survive the giant man-ape, “Tiny”

I don't follow the part of the comic book Internet that breaks news about new comic book projects, not like I used to do.  I think I need to start again because I only recently heard about The Kamandi Challenge, and after reading The Kamandi Challenge #1, I know it would have been sad to have missed this fantastic first issue.

Telling a complete story in a single comic book might seem like a lost art in these last three decades of multi-issue story arcs produced in order to be collected into trade paperbacks – sometimes called graphic novels – for the bookstore market.  However, the two creative teams in The Kamandi Challenge #1 prove that they can tell a story that seems complete – even with a cliffhanger ending – in a single issue.

DiDio-Giffen-Koblish's 12-page introduction works as a standalone story and is a nice homage to Jack Kirby's visual and graphical art style.  I also wonder if the borough, burg, town depicted in the opening chapter is an homage to the early 20th century New York City in which Jack Kirby grew up.

The Abnett-Eaglesham team ably picks up the DiDio-Giffen-Koblish cliffhanger from “The Rules” and delivers a gem in “K -- is for 'Kill'!”  Dan Abnett turns his story into a flight of fancy set in world that is part old-school, EBR-style, pulp science fiction and part Planet of the Apes.  Using powerful, muscular compositions, Dale Eaglesham delivers art and storytelling that conveys both the bizarre nature of a world ruled by humaoid animals and the threat of weapons of mass destruction in a post-apocalyptic world that does not understand these lethal relics of war from the distant past.

It's obvious, isn't it?  I really enjoyed reading The Kamandi Challenge #1.  I can't wait for the second issue and I recommend this one.  It is the fun-to-read comic book for “all-ages” that many comic book readers keep saying they want.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-----------------------------

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 25, 2017

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NOV160193    ACTION COMICS #972    $2.99
NOV160194    ACTION COMICS #972 VAR ED    $2.99
NOV160204    BATGIRL #7    $2.99
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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 14, 2016

DC COMICS

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JUN160392    DC COMICS DESIGNER SER CAPULLO SUPERMAN AF    $28.00
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OCT160217    NEW SUPER MAN #6    $2.99
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Review: BLACK PANTHER Volume 2 #2

BLACK PANTHER, VOL. 2 No. 2
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Christopher Priest with Joe Quesada
ARTIST: Mark Texeira with Alitha Martinez
COLORS: Avalon Color
LETTERS: Rich S and Comicraft’s Siobhan Hanna
COVER: Mark Texeira
VARIANT COVER: Bruce Timm
EDITORS: Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti
EIC: Bob Harras
32pp, Color, $2.50 US, $3.50 CAN (December 1998)

“Invasion”

When I learned that former Marvel Comics editor and writer, Christopher Priest (once known as Jim Owsley), was returning to comic books, I was excited.  Priest has been announced as the new writer of DC Comics' Deathstroke comic book series, beginning some time later this year.  The news started me thinking about one of Priest's more notable runs in comic books.

Beginning in 1998, Joe Quesada and his partners at Event Comics (including inker Jimmy Palmiotti) oversaw a Marvel Comics imprint dubbed “Marvel Knights.”  One of the characters that received the “Marvel Knights” treatment was Black Panther.  Christopher Priest wrote this new Black Panther series (Volume 2) with story contributions from Quesada.  Artist Mark Texeira drew the first four issues of Priest's run.

Marvel Comics' the Black Panther, also known as T’Challa, is the first black superhero to appear in mainstream American comic books.  Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the Black Panther first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 (cover dated: July 1966).

For Black Panther Vol. 2, Priest used characters from the 1990-91 miniseries, Black Panther: Panther’s Rage.  He also introduced new characters, in particularly Everett K. Ross, an attorney in the Office of the Chief of Protocol at the U.S. State Department.  Priest's story revolves around Black Panther's trip to the United States to investigate “The Tomorrow Fund,” a charity he established.  There has not only been financial irregularity at the charity, but there has also been a death related to the charity, that of a young girl who was the face of The Tomorrow Fun.  The story of Black Panther Vol. 2 is narrated via flashback by Everett K. Ross to his State Department boss, Nikki Adams.

Black Panther Vol. 2 #2 (“Invasion”) opens in an apartment in the Leslie N. Hill Housing Project, where Black Panther and his entourage has decided to make their base of operations while in New York City.  Ross, the State Department's liaison to T'Challa, is still without his pants and has found himself in the company of Mephisto.  Meanwhile, Black Panther is beating and intimidating his way through the city in order to find out how a child connected to his charity ended up dead.  The answer is a lot closer to home than T'Challa realizes.

Christopher Priest has stated that he used Everett K. Ross to bridge a gap between the African culture in which much of the Black Panther mythos is based and Marvel Comics’ predominantly white readership.  I don't need that bridge, neither as a longtime comic book reader nor as an African-American.  As I have previously stated, I think comic books have maintained a “predominantly white readership” for a number of reasons.  That includes substandard marketing, advertising, and public relations, to say nothing of the publishing and editorial policies regarding who is hired and assigned to create comics.  However, I have encountered many comic book readers who are predominantly of European extraction i.e. “white boys,” who really liked Priest's Black Panther and still fondly remember the series.

I think Priest's decision to tell the story via Ross is a kind of genius move.  He uses Ross to bring levity to the series, and in Ross, Priest has fashioned a funny guy and a truly likable character.  His misadventures are a kind of after-dinner mint to the main story, Black Panther's quest for answers regarding The Tomorrow Fund, which Priest tells in the spirit of blaxploitation movies.

It is a tale of woe and urban decay and of crime and betrayal.  Priest depicts Black people hurting other people for money and power, and “the Man” is not to blame.  Also, the trouble of Mother Africa, in this case, Black Panther's home country of Wakanda, are intimately connected to the scandal of The Tomorrow Fun.

It is odd that I am not that crazy about the style of Mark Texeira's art for Black Panther Vol. 2.  Still, his graphical storytelling is picture perfect for Priest's multifaceted script.  It even works in the comic scenes featuring Ross.  Texeira's art works in spite of itself; at least, it seems that way to me...

After reading Black Panther Vol. 2 #2, I am ready to read Priest's Deathstroke.  I am also anxious to read more of this series.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: DARK KNIGHT III: The Master Race #1

DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review originally appeared on Patreon.]

STORY: Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello
PENCILS: Andy Kubert
INKS:  Klaus Janson
COLORS: Brad Anderson
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Andy Kubert and Klaus Janson
VARIANT COVERS: Jim Lee and Scott Williams with Alex Sinclair; Frank Miller with Alex Sinclair; Dave Gibbons and Klaus Janson with Brad Anderson; Jill Thompson
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (January 2016)

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (also known simply as The Dark Knight Returns) was a four-issue comic book miniseries starring Batman.  Published by DC Comics in 1986, this prestige-format comic book was written by Frank Miller; drawn by Miller (pencils) and Klaus Janson (inks); colored by Lynn Varley; and lettered by John Costanza, with the book covers drawn by Miller and Varley.

Individually, the books were entitled “The Dark Knight Returns” (Book One); “Dark Knight Triumphant” (Book Two); “Hunt the Dark Knight” (Book Three); and “The Dark Knight Falls” (Book Four).  The series takes place in a future in which Bruce Wayne is 55 and retired from being Batman.  Gotham City's ongoing troubles give Wayne the reason he uses to bring Batman out of retirement, but Batman faces opposition from the city government and the police force.  The series introduces a new Robin, a girl named Carrie Kelley; depicts Batman's final battle with The Joker; and culminates with a confrontation against Superman, which leaves the world thinking that Batman is dead.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (also known as “DKR”) yielded a three-volume sequel, The Dark Knight Strikes Again (also known as “DK2”), published by DC Comics from late 2001 into 2002.   DC Comics has spent the last four years reliving its mid to late 1980s glory days, so now, there is a second sequel to The Dark Knight Returns.  This is an eight-issue series entitled Dark Knight III: The Master Race (also known as DKIII).  It is written by Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello; drawn by Andy Kubert (pencils) and Klaus Janson (inks); colored by Brad Anderson; and lettered by Clem Robins.

Kubert and Janson will be the lead cover artists, but DC is publishing numerous variant covers, about 50 for the issue of DKIII.  Each issue will also include an insert entitled “Dark Knight Universe Presents” drawn by different art teams and written by Miller and Azzarello... apparently.

Dark Knight III: The Master Race #1 opens with the return (once again) of Batman, but this time, the authority in Gotham City is even less welcoming.  Commissioner Yindel and the rest of the Gotham City Police Department are ready to take-down Batman.  Meanwhile, Wonder Woman fights and a legendary small city wants help, while Superman remains in limbo.

Dark Knight III: The Master Race #1 is not as good as Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Book One.  Let's just get that out of the way.  DKIII colorist Brad Anderson is nowhere nearly as good as DKR colorist, the legendary Lynn Varley (Frank Miller's ex-wife), whose watercolor-like hues were both subtle and vivid.  There is nothing distinguishing about the work of DKIII letterer Clem Robins, certainly not in the way DKR's John Costanza's lettering was so distinctive.

DKIII's art team of Andy Kubert and Klaus Janson capture the spirit and some of the style of DKR's Frank Miller and Janson.  Kubert, however, does not match the imaginative page layouts and awe-inspiring design that Miller gave the original work.

There is a rumor that Frank Miller has contributed relatively little to the storytelling in DKIII.  Word is that DC Comics was developing DKIII independently of Miller and went to him after they'd already made the decision to produce the project.  At the very least, Azzarello is clearly writing the scripts.  It shows.  This is not bad work, but nothing about this suggests the imagination and inventiveness that Frank Miller has brought to all his work:  the good stuff, the bad stuff, and the ambivalent experimental work.  Azzarello, as good as he can be, cannot be like Frank Miller because he is not in Miller's league, no matter how much Jim Lee, Geoff Johns, and the powers at DC Comics pretend he is.

Things could change; I could be delightfully surprised.  But right now Dark Knight III: The Master Race #1 is no more special than any other Batman comic book that is a particularly good read.

B

Dark Knight Universe Presents: The Atom #1 (Insert comic book)
STORY: Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello
PENCILS: Frank Miller
INKS: Klaus Janson
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Frank Miller with Alex Sinclair

Frank Miller actually pencils Dark Knight Universe Presents: The Atom #1, with Klaus Janson inking.  And no, it does not remind me of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns or Frank Miller's run on Daredevil, on which Janson was Miller's most frequent collaborator and partner.

This has potential, but it lacks the spark of any of Miller's best work.

B

[Retailer variant cover artists and art teams:
Dave Johnson; Sean Gordon Murphy; Lee Bermejo; Klaus Janson; Rafael Albuquerque; Jae Lee with June Chung; Eduardo Risso; Jock; Walter Simonson with Laura Martin; Ivan Reis with Marcelo Maiolo; Aaron Lopresti; Tyler Kirkman with Tomeu Morey; Brian Bolland; Paul Pope with Jose Villarrubia; Gabriele Dell'Otto; John Cassady with Laura Marin; Tony Daniel with Tomeu Morey; Matt Wagner with Brennan Wagner; Michael Allred and Laura Allred; Brian Stelfreeze; Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts; Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson; Jason Fabok with Brad Anderson; Darwyn Cooke, Josh Middleton; Gary Frank with Brad Anderson; Howard Porter with Hi-Fi; Kevin Eastman with Varga Tamás; Bill Sienkiewicz; Dave Dorman; Greg Capullo with FCO Plascencia; Stanley “Artgerm” Lau; Marc Silvestri with Alex Sinclair; Kelley Jones; Dale Keown with Jason Keith; Neal Adams with Alex Sinclair; Simon Bisley; Tony Harris; David Finch and Scott Hanna with Brad Anderson; Scott Williams with Alex Sinclair; John Romita, Jr. and Danny Miki with Dean White; Adam Hughes; Francis Manapul; J. Scott Campbell with Nei Ruffino; Tim Sale; Bruce Timm; Babs Tarr]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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