DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 3, 2014

DC COMICS

MAY140310     ACTION COMICS FUTURES END #1     $3.99
MAY140311     ACTION COMICS FUTURES END #1 STANDARD ED     $2.99
MAY140286     AQUAMAN FUTURES END #1     $3.99
MAY140287     AQUAMAN FUTURES END #1 STANDARD ED     $2.99
JUL140223     BATMAN 66 MEETS GREEN HORNET #4     $2.99
JUL140234     BATMAN ESSENTIALS BATMAN & SON SPEC ED #1     $1.00
JUL140210     BATMAN ETERNAL #22     $2.99
MAY140326     BATWING FUTURES END #1     $3.99
MAY140327     BATWING FUTURES END #1 STANDARD ED     $2.99
JUN140271     BATWOMAN TP VOL 04 THIS BLOOD IS THICK (N52)     $14.99
MAY140320     DETECTIVE COMICS FUTURES END #1     $3.99
MAY140321     DETECTIVE COMICS FUTURES END #1 STANDARD ED     $2.99
MAY140290     EARTH 2 FUTURES END #1     $3.99
MAY140291     EARTH 2 FUTURES END #1 STANDARD ED     $2.99
JUL140277     FAIREST #29 (MR)     $2.99
MAY140364     FOREVER EVIL HC (N52)     $24.99
MAY140270     GRAYSON FUTURES END #1     $3.99
MAY140271     GRAYSON FUTURES END #1 STANDARD ED     $2.99
MAY140292     GREEN ARROW FUTURES END #1     $3.99
MAY140293     GREEN ARROW FUTURES END #1 STANDARD ED     $2.99
MAY140340     GREEN LANTERN FUTURES END #1     $3.99
MAY140341     GREEN LANTERN FUTURES END #1 STANDARD ED     $2.99
JUL140280     HINTERKIND #11 (MR)     $2.99
JUN140281     JLA EARTH 2 TP NEW ED     $14.99
MAY140177     JUSTICE LEAGUE #33     $3.99
MAY140180     JUSTICE LEAGUE #33 COMBO PACK     $4.99
JUN140275     MARTIAN MANHUNTER RINGS OF SATURN TP     $19.99
MAY140410     MR PUNCH 20TH ANNIVERSARY ED HC (MR)     $34.99
JUL140266     NAMES #1 (MR)     $2.99
JUL140206     NEW 52 FUTURES END #18 (WEEKLY)     $2.99
JUL140265     SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #6     $2.99
MAY140348     SWAMP THING FUTURES END #1     $3.99
MAY140349     SWAMP THING FUTURES END #1 STANDARD ED     $2.99
JUL140262     TINY TITANS RETURN TO THE TREEHOUSE #4     $2.99
MAY140300     TRINITY OF SIN PHANTOM STRANGER FUTURES END #1     $3.99
MAY140301     TRINITY OF SIN PHANTOM STRANGER FUTURES END #1 STANDARD ED     $2.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

MAR140313     DC COMICS SUPER VILLAINS POKER SET     $99.95

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 3, 2014

MARVEL COMICS

JUN140707     ALL NEW DOOP #5     $3.99
JUL140702     ALL NEW X-FACTOR #13     $3.99
JUL140626     AVENGERS WORLD #12     $3.99
JUL140654     BLACK WIDOW #10     $3.99
JUL140611     CAPTAIN AMERICA #24 MTAX     $3.99
JUN148255     DAREDEVIL #6 2ND PTG SAMNEE VAR SIN     $3.99
JUL140679     DARK TOWER DRAWING OF THREE PRISONER #1     $3.99
JUL140680     DARK TOWER DRAWING OF THREE PRISONER #1 WARD TEASER V     $3.99
APR140757     DARK TOWER GUNSLINGER OMNIBUS HC SLIPCASE     $150.00
APR140764     DEADPOOL MINIBUS HC     $59.99
JUL140690     DEADPOOL VS X-FORCE #4     $3.99
JUN140590     DEATH OF WOLVERINE #1     $4.99
JUN148239     FIGMENT #2 3RD PTG CHRISTOPHER VAR     $3.99
JUL140684     FIGMENT #4     $3.99
JUL140686     HAWKEYE VS DEADPOOL #0     $4.99
JUN140730     INFINITY TP     $49.99
JUL140648     IRON FIST LIVING WEAPON #6     $3.99
MAY140918     KICK-ASS 3 PREM HC (MR)     $29.99
JUL140639     LEGENDARY STAR LORD #3     $3.99
JUL140664     MIRACLEMAN #10 (MR)     $4.99
APR140744     MMW FAMOUS FIRSTS 75TH ANNIV SLIPCASE SET     $500.00
JUL140651     MOON KNIGHT #7     $3.99
JUN148191     ORIGINAL SIN #3 2ND PTG TEDESCO VAR     $3.99
JUN148256     ORIGINAL SIN #5.2 2ND PTG KEOWN VAR     $3.99
JUN140609     ORIGINAL SIN #8     $4.99
APR140763     OZ OMNIBUS HC     $125.00
JUL140653     PUNISHER #10     $3.99
MAY140922     REVENGE SECRET ORIGIN OF EMILY THORNE PREM HC     $24.99
JUL140642     ROCKET RACCOON #3     $3.99
JUL140656     SHE-HULK #8     $2.99
JUL140631     SPIDER-MAN 2099 #3     $3.99
JUL140634     SUPERIOR FOES OF SPIDER-MAN #15     $3.99
JUN148238     UNCANNY X-MEN #23 2ND PTG BACHALO VAR SIN     $3.99
JUN140625     UNCANNY X-MEN #25 SIN     $4.99
JUN148227     WOLVERINE #10 2ND PTG MCNIVEN VAR     $3.99
JUL140700     X-MEN #19     $3.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for September 3, 2014

IDW PUBLISHING

JUL140357     ANGRY BIRDS COMICS #4     $3.99
JUL140433     DUNGEONS & DRAGONS FORGOTTEN REALMS OMNIBUS TP VOL 02     $24.99
JUL140311     GI JOE ORIGINS OMNIBUS TP VOL 02     $24.99
JUL140424     INDESTRUCTIBLE #8     $3.99
JUL140403     JUDGE DREDD (IDW) TP VOL 05     $17.99
JUN140363     JUDGE DREDD MEGA CITY TWO TP     $19.99
JUN140378     MARS ATTACKS FIRST BORN #4     $3.99
JUL140364     MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #23     $3.99
JUL140361     MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC TP VOL 05     $17.99
FEB140358     ROCKETEER JET POWERED ADVENTURES PROSE SC     $19.99
JUL140402     ROGUE TROOPER CLASSICS #5     $3.99
JUN140347     SILENT HILL DOWNPOUR ANNES STORY #1     $3.99
JUL140341     SQUIDDER #3     $3.99
JUL140428     STAR MAGE #6     $3.99
FEB142495     TMNT MICRO COMIC FUN PACK DSP     $2.99
JUL140378     TMNT NEW ANIMATED ADVENTURES TP VOL 03     $17.99
MAY140502     TMNT ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SP ED HC     $29.99
JUN140421     TRANSFORMERS IDW COLL PHASE 2 HC VOL 01     $49.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 3, 2014

DARK HORSE COMICS
JUL140081     1 FOR $1 GHOST     $1.00
MAY140100     ALLEY OOP COMPLETE SUNDAYS HC VOL 02 1936 - 1938     $75.00
JUL140116     ANGEL AND FAITH SEASON 10 #6 MAIN CVR     $3.50
MAY140053     AW YEAH COMICS TP VOL 01     $12.99
MAR140106     CLASSIC MARVEL UNCANNY X-MEN 94 #3 CYCLOPS     $49.95
JUL140108     CONCRETE PARK RESPECT #1     $3.99
MAY140090     FEAR AGENT TP VOL 06 2ND ED OUT OF STEP     $16.99
MAY140074     FINDER THIRD WORLD TP     $19.99
MAY140073     FURIOUS TP VOL 01 FALLEN STAR     $17.99
JUN140084     GAME OF THRONES DAENERYS TARGARYEN COASTER SET     $9.99
MAY140113     GAME OF THRONES MAGNET SET DAENERYS TARGARYEN     $8.99
JUL140106     GRENDEL VS SHADOW #1     $5.99
MAY140096     JAYBIRD HC     $19.99
MAY140059     LEGEND KORRA ART ANIMATED SERIES HC BOOK 02 SPIRITS     $34.99
JAN140217     LEGEND OF KORRA COASTER SET     $9.99
MAR140103     LEGEND OF KORRA MAGNET SET     $8.99
DEC130151     MASS EFFECT ALLIANCE CRUISER SILVER LTD SHIP REPLICA     $59.99
JUL140097     MICHAEL AVON OEMINGS VICTORIES #15 (MR)     $3.99
MAY140111     NEW LONE WOLF AND CUB TP VOL 02 (MR)     $13.99
MAY140069     PARIAH TP VOL 02     $14.99
JUN140087     SIN CITY COASTER SET #2     $10.00
JUN140088     SIN CITY MAGNET SET #2     $9.00
APR140063     TERMINATOR ENEMY OF MY ENEMY #5     $3.99
JUL140110     USAGI YOJIMBO SENSO #2     $3.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 3, 2014

IMAGE COMICS

JUL140482     EGOS TP VOL 01 QUINTESSENCE     $9.99
APR140568     ELEPHANTMEN #59 (MR)     $3.99
JUL140440     GOD HATES ASTRONAUTS #1 CVR A BROWNE (MR)     $3.50
JUL140441     GOD HATES ASTRONAUTS #1 CVR B DARROW (MR)     $3.50
JUL140548     HACK SLASH SON OF SAMHAIN #3 (MR)     $3.50
JUL140556     MADAME FRANKENSTEIN #5     $2.99
JUL140501     MERCENARY SEA TP VOL 01     $9.99
JUL140564     NAILBITER #5 (MR)     $2.99
JUL140565     NIGHTWORLD #2     $3.99
APR140598     SIDEKICK #8 (MR)     $3.99
MAY140731     SOUTHERN BASTARDS #4 (MR)     $3.50
JUL140582     TECH JACKET #3     $2.99
MAY140680     WALKING DEAD GRAVEDIGGER HOODIE LG     $44.99
MAY140679     WALKING DEAD GRAVEDIGGER HOODIE MED     $44.99
MAY140678     WALKING DEAD GRAVEDIGGER HOODIE SM     $44.99
MAY140681     WALKING DEAD GRAVEDIGGER HOODIE XL     $44.99
MAY140682     WALKING DEAD GRAVEDIGGER HOODIE XXL     $46.99
JUL140520     WALKING DEAD HC VOL 10 (MR)     $34.99

IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

APR140621     WALKING DEAD COMIC SER 3 ANDREA AF     PI
APR140623     WALKING DEAD COMIC SER 3 DWIGHT AF     PI
APR140622     WALKING DEAD COMIC SER 3 PUNK ROCK ZOMBIE AF     PI
APR140620     WALKING DEAD COMIC SER 3 RICK GRIMES AF     PI
APR140619     WALKING DEAD COMIC SERIES 3 AF     PI

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for September 3, 2014

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JUN141403     A CENTAURS LIFE GN VOL 04 (MR)     $12.99
APR141369     A1 PRESENTS CARPE DIEM HC VOL 01 I HATE MONDAYS     $19.99
JUL141256     ABOVE THE DREAMLESS DEAD WWI IN POETRY & COMICS HC     $24.99
JUN141213     AGE OF LICENSE GN     $19.99
JUL141060     ALICE COOPER #1     $3.99
JUN141404     ALICE I/T COUNTRY OF CLOVER KNIGHTS KNOWLEDGE GN VOL 02 (MR)     $13.99
APR141371     ALIEN LEGION DEAD & BURIED OMNIBUS TP     $29.99
JUN140837     ALL CRIME #3 (MR)     $3.95
JUN140814     B & V FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #240 (NOTE PRICE)     $6.99
JUN141412     BETTIE PAGE IN DANGER #0 (MR)     $9.95
JUL140974     BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA #4 MAIN CVRS     $3.99
JUN148394     BLACK MARKET #1 (2ND PTG)     $3.99
JUL141503     BLEACH 3IN1 TP VOL 09     $14.99
JUL141120     BLOOD QUEEN #4 CVR A ANACLETO (MR)     $3.99
JUL141121     BLOOD QUEEN #4 CVR B GARZA (MR)     $3.99
JUN140765     BO PLUSHY GANGSTA KINGDOM BO TP (MR)     $14.99
JUL141040     BONE COLOR ED HC VOL 01 OUT FROM BONEVILLE NEW PTG     $26.99
JUL141262     BROXO GN     $16.99
JUL141080     CHAOS #5 MAIN LUPACCHINO     $3.99
JUN140948     CLIVE BARKERS NIGHTBREED #4 (MR)     $3.99
JUL140963     CLOAKS #1     $3.99
JUL140911     CROSSED BADLANDS #50 UP IN SMOKE CVR (MR)     $5.99
JUN140883     CROSSED BADLANDS #60 (MR)     $3.99
JUN140886     CROSSED BADLANDS #60 FATAL FANTASY CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUN140885     CROSSED BADLANDS #60 TORTURE CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUN140884     CROSSED BADLANDS #60 WRAP CVR (MR)     $3.99
MAY140962     CRYPT OF HORROR #22     $29.95
JUL141508     DAWN OF THE ARCANA GN VOL 13     $9.99
JUL141478     DEATH DEFYING DR MIRAGE #1 PLUS EDITION (VF)     $4.99
JUL141476     DEATH DEFYING DR MIRAGE #1 REG CVR FOREMAN (VF)     $3.99
JUN141121     DEJAH OF MARS #4 (MR)     $3.99
DEC131146     DF CAPTAIN AMERICA #16.NOW CGC GRADED 9.8     $89.99
MAY141403     DISNEY ROSA DUCK LIBRARY HC VOL 01 SCROOGE SON OF SUN     $29.99
JUN141420     DOCTOR GRORDBORT PRES ONSLAUGHT HC     $22.99
JUL141504     DRAGON BALL 3IN1 TP VOL 06     $14.99
JUL140790     EL DEAFO GN     $10.95
JUL140791     EL DEAFO HC GN     $21.95
JUL141425     EPIC CHRONICLES HAGAR THE HORRIBLE HC 1980-81     $19.95
JUL141056     EX CON #1     $2.99
JUN140870     EXTINCTION PARADE WAR #2 LEATHER CVR (MR)     $19.99
JUL140866     EXTINCTION PARADE WAR #3 (MR)     $3.99
JUL140868     EXTINCTION PARADE WAR #3 END OF SPECIES CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUL140867     EXTINCTION PARADE WAR #3 WRAP CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUN141414     FARLAINE GOBLIN TP VOL 01     $13.00
APR141387     FOUR HORSEMEN O/T APOCALYPSE HC     $24.99
JUN140927     FUTURAMA COMICS #72     $2.99
JUL141017     GARFIELD #29     $3.99
JUL140877     GEORGE RR MARTIN IN THE HOUSE O/T WORM #2 (MR)     $3.99
JUL140879     GEORGE RR MARTIN IN THE HOUSE O/T WORM #2 PAINTED CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUL140878     GEORGE RR MARTIN IN THE HOUSE O/T WORM #2 WRAP CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUL141611     GFT MASUMI #2 A CVR TOLIBAO (MR)     $3.99
JUL141612     GFT MASUMI #2 B CVR MYCHAELS (MR)     $3.99
JUL141613     GFT MASUMI #2 C CVR PESSANHA (MR)     $3.99
JUL141614     GFT MASUMI #2 D CVR CUCCA (MR)     $3.99
JUN141602     GFT TALES OF TERROR #2 A CVR MALSUNI (MR)     $2.99
JUN141603     GFT TALES OF TERROR #2 B CVR ERIC J (MR)     $2.99
JUN141604     GFT TALES OF TERROR #2 C CVR DOONEY (MR)     $2.99
JUL140899     GOD IS DEAD #19 (MR)     $3.99
JUL140900     GOD IS DEAD #19 CARNAGE WRAP CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUL140901     GOD IS DEAD #19 END OF DAYS CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUL140902     GOD IS DEAD #19 ICONIC CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUN140845     GOD IS DEAD BOOK OF ACTS ALPHA GLYCON LEATHER CVR (MR)     $19.99
JUN140857     GOD IS DEAD BOOK OF ACTS DLX COLL BOX SET (MR)     $99.99
APR140835     GOLD DIGGER #213     $3.99
MAR140815     GOLD DIGGER GOLD BRICK IV REMINTED ED     $50.00
JUL141285     GOOSEBUMPS GRAPHIX SC VOL 02 TERROR TRIPS NEW PTG     $9.99
JUL141286     GOOSEBUMPS GRAPHIX SC VOL 03 SCARY SUMMER NEW PTG     $9.99
JUL141135     JIM BUTCHER DRESDEN FILES WAR CRY #4     $3.99
JUL141280     KAMEN GN VOL 01     $12.95
JUN141318     KILL MY MOTHER GN     $27.95
APR141259     KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #212     $5.99
JUL141509     LIBRARY WARS LOVE & WAR GN VOL 12     $9.99
JUN140974     LUMBERJANES #5     $3.99
APR140829     LUNITA #4 (MR)     $3.99
JUN141627     MASTERFUL MARKS CARTOONIST WHO CHANGED THE WORLD HC     $24.99
JUN141409     MAYO CHICKI GN VOL 07 (MR)     $12.99
JUL141510     MIDNIGHT SECRETARY GN VOL 07 (MR)     $9.99
JUL141413     MUSASHI GN     $16.95
JUL141505     NARUTO 3IN1 TP VOL 09     $14.99
JUL141111     NEW VAMPIRELLA #4 MAIN DODSON     $3.99
JUL141506     NISEKOI FALSE LOVE GN VOL 05     $9.99
JUN141312     NORAGAMI STRAY GOD GN VOL 01     $10.99
JUL140749     NUMBER ONE #1     $3.99
JUL141502     ONE PIECE GN VOL 72     $9.99
JUL141511     PHANTOM THIEF JEANNE GN VOL 04     $10.99
JUL141384     POKEMON ADVENTURES GN BOX SET VOL 03 RUBY SAPPHIRE     $59.99
JUL141382     POKEMON ADVENTURES GN VOL 24 FIRE RED LEAF GREEN     $9.99
JUL141383     POKEMON BLACK & WHITE GN BOX SET VOL 02     $25.99
JUL141073     RED SONJA BLACK TOWER #1     $3.99
JUL140968     ROBOCOP 2014 #3 (MR)     $3.99
MAY141609     SALLY O/T WASTELAND #2     $3.99
JUN140768     SCUM O/T EARTH #2 (MR)     $3.99
JUL141501     SERAPH OF END VAMPIRE REIGN GN VOL 02     $9.99
JUL141507     SKIP BEAT GN VOL 33     $9.99
FEB140878     SKYWARD TP VOL 03 BATTLE AT THREE RIVERS     $8.99
JUL141011     STEVEN UNIVERSE #2     $3.99
JUL141500     TIME KILLERS GN     $14.99
JUN141079     TUROK DINOSAUR HUNTER #7     $3.99
JUN141112     TWILIGHT ZONE #8     $3.99
JUL140891     UBER #17 (MR)     $3.99
JUL140893     UBER #17 PROPAGANDA POSTER CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUL140894     UBER #17 WAR CRIMES CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUL140892     UBER #17 WRAP CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUN140901     UBER SPECIAL #1 RAW POWER (MR)     $9.99
MAY141611     VOID HC     $9.99
JUL141475     WHAT DID YOU EAT YESTERDAY GN VOL 04 (MR)     $12.95
JUL140954     WOODS #5     $3.99
JUL140953     WOODS TP VOL 01     $9.99
JUL141263     WRENCHIES GN     $19.99
JUN141368     WWE SLAM CITY HC VOL 01 FINISHED     $12.99
JUL141515     YU GI OH 5DS GN VOL 06     $9.99
JUN141411     ZEROS FAMILIAR CHEVALIER GN VOL 02 (MR)     $12.99

MAGAZINES
MAY141555     2000 AD PACK JUL 2014     $26.75
JUL141720     COMIC SHOP NEWS #1420     PI
JUN141700     COMICS REVUE PRESENTS AUG 2014     $19.95
APR141675     G FAN #107     $6.95
MAY141871     GOREZONE #32     $9.99
JUN141289     HEAVY METAL #270 (MR)     $7.95
APR141667     RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE #148     $9.95

BOOKS
JUL141693     A NEW DAWN STAR WARS HC     $28.00
JUL141313     BABY BJORNATRAND TP     $20.00
JUN141624     COMIC BOOK PEOPLE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM 1970S & 1980S HC     $34.95
JUL141664     DOCTOR WHO OFFICIAL QUIZ BOOK SC     $14.99
JUN141665     LEGO STAR WARS DARK SIDE HC     $16.99
JUL141315     LOSE #6     $8.00
MAY141477     MARK TEXEIRA TEMPEST SKETCHBOOK HC SIGNED ED     $39.99
MAY141478     MARK TEXEIRA TEMPEST SKETCHBOOK HC SKETCH ED     $125.00
JUL141645     MARVEL COMICS POSTER COLLECTION SC     $24.99
MAR141260     MICHAEL GOLDEN DANGEROUS CURVES HC SIGNED ED     $39.99
MAR141261     MICHAEL GOLDEN DANGEROUS CURVES HC SKETCH ED     $134.99
JUN140776     PHOEBE & HER UNICORN GN     $9.99
JUN141574     SPICE AND WOLF NOVEL VOL 12 (MR)     $12.00
JUL141630     STEVE O RENO FANTASY BOUND ART OF IMAGINATIVE DISTRESS SC (M     $9.95
JUL141265     ZOO BOX YR HC     $17.99

I Reads You Review: BATMAN #33

BATMAN #33
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITER: Scott Snyder
PENCILS: Greg Capullo
INKS: Danny Miki
COLORS: FCO Plascencia
LETTERS: Dezi Sienty
COVER: Greg Capullo and Danny Miki with FCO Plascencia
VARIANT COVERS: Paolo Rivera; Bryan Hitch with Alex Sinclair
48pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (September 2014)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

I finally got around to reading Batman #33, which contains the final chapter of the Batman event story, “Zero Year.”  Written by Scott Snyder and drawn by Greg Capullo, this 12-issue “graphic novel” only ran through the ongoing Batman title, beginning with Batman #21.  [Batman #28 was a preview of the current weekly Batman comic book, Batman Eternal.]

I seem to remember it being announced as a ten-issue event, and that would have been about right... at least for me.  After reading Batman #31, I thought that issue needed to end.  Yeah, “Zero Year” was too long.  I also think that “Zero Year” is really The New 52 take on the Frank Miller-David Mazzuchelli classic, “Batman: Year One,” which was originally published in Batman (1940) #404 to #407.

In “Zero Year,” the Riddler (Edward Nygma) successfully launches a massive and complicated plot that leaves Gotham City without some utilities (including power).  Gotham is essentially in a blackout and is closed from the rest of the world.  It becomes a dead city, as if it were plunged into some kind of post-apocalyptic future, where the infrastructure decays and plants and foliage take over.

Batman #33 finds Batman in the clutches of the Riddler.  He must battle the villain in a game of riddles to save Gotham by keeping a series of weather balloons filled with a dangerous chemical agent (basically a weapon of mass destruction) from being activated.  At the same time, military jets make a final run to bomb Gotham.  Batman does not battle alone to save his city, but policeman Jim Gordon and Wayne Enterprises Industries employee, Lucius Fox, may not be able to help Batman... or even save the city.

Although I found “Zero Year” to be too long, I did think that individual issues within the event were quite good (such as #31).  I liked that Scott Snyder invested a considerable amount of the narrative delving in the personalities, quirks, motivations, etc. of not only Batman, but also of his supporting cast.  Their is a deeply emotional component to Bruce Wayne's relationship with his butler/partner, Alfred Pennyworth, and Snyder depicts this “union” as an emotional landscape fraught with landmines, apt to explode into shouting matches.  Like our real world, loved ones can use words to hurt, and I think Snyder gives Bruce and Alfred's relationship as much worth as that between Batman and Alfred.

“Zero Year” is also a star turn for the art team of penciller Greg Capullo and inker Danny Miki.  Since he starting drawing Batman with the birth of The New 52 back in 2011, Capullo has fully emerged from the mystery world and curious comics ghetto of Todd McFarlane, where Capullo toiled for years on McFarlane's Spawn comic book.  Capullo's Batman compositions have been stylishly quirky and oddly visually appealing.  Miki's intricate inking seems to precisely trace the pencils, but always improves the art.  With Miki, Capullo creates comic book art that seems like a modern take on the primordial graphics of early Batman comic books.

I like “Zero Year” most of all because of the art.  I am also curious to see where Snyder takes the ongoing Batman series post-event.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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