MARVEL COMICS
MAY210569 ALIEN #5 $3.99
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MAY210625 CAPTAIN MARVEL #30 $4.99
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APR210998 DOCTOR STRANGE EPIC COLLECTION TP MASTER MYSTIC ARTS NEW PTG $39.99
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APR210008 FCBD 2021 MARVEL GOLD AVENGERS HULK #1 (Net) $PI
APR210031 FCBD 2021 MARVEL SILVER SPIDER-MAN VENOM #1 (Net) $PI
MAY210566 GAMMA FLIGHT #2 (OF 5) $3.99
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MAR210714 GENERATION X EPIC COLLECTION TP BACK TO SCHOOL $39.99
MAY210644 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #16 ANHL $3.99
MAY210646 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #16 JIMENEZ VAR ANHL $3.99
MAY210645 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #16 MOMOKO MARVEL ANIME VAR ANHL $3.99
APR210984 KING IN BLACK NAMOR TP $15.99
MAY210607 MARAUDERS #22 $3.99
MAY210608 MARAUDERS #22 PAREL VAR $3.99
MAY210617 MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #28 $3.99
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MAY210605 NEW MUTANTS #20 $3.99
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MAR210717 PUNISHER EPIC COLLECTION TP RETURN TO BIG NOTHING $44.99
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MAY210662 SAVAGE AVENGERS #22 $3.99
MAY210690 STAR WARS DARTH VADER #14 CAMUNCOLI HEADSHOT VAR WOBH $3.99
MAY210691 STAR WARS DARTH VADER #14 SPROUSE LUCASFILM 50TH VAR WOBH $3.99
MAY210689 STAR WARS DARTH VADER #14 WOBH $3.99
MAY210675 STAR WARS WAR BOUNTY HUNTERS JABBA HUTT #1 $4.99
MAY210677 STAR WARS WAR BOUNTY HUNTERS JABBA HUTT #1 CHANG VAR $4.99
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MAY210557 THOR ANNUAL #1 RON LIM CONNECTING VAR INFD $4.99
APR210992 UNION BRITANNIA PROJECT TP $15.99
MAY210587 X-MEN LEGENDS #5 $3.99
MAY210589 X-MEN LEGENDS #5 CHRISTOPHER ACTION FIGURE VAR $3.99
MAY210588 X-MEN LEGENDS #5 NAUCK PUZZLE VAR $3.99
Monday, July 19, 2021
Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 21, 2021
Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for July 21, 2021
MAY211298 ALICE IN LEATHERLAND #4 (MR) $3.99
MAY211305 ANNE BONNIE #12 $3.99
APR212050 ASCENCIA #6 $3.99
APR211904 BALLAD OF THE BROKEN HEART GN (MR) $9.99
MAY211864 BEASTARS GN VOL 13 (MR) $12.99
MAY211562 BECSTAR #3 $3.99
MAY211177 BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #295 $7.99
MAY211174 BETTY & VERONICA WHAT IF TP $12.99
APR211298 BREAKER OMNIBUS GN VOL 01 (MR) $19.99
APR211665 CELESTIA HC $29.99
APR212265 CHERI MY DESTINY TP (MR) $12.99
MAY211888 CHILDREN OF WHALES GN VOL 17 $12.99
MAY211941 CHUU CHUU MACARON LONELY PIE GN (MR) $14.95
FEB210933 CIMMERIAN HC VOL 02 FROST GIANTS DAUGHTER (MR) $24.99
MAY211664 DARK AGE #7 (OF 7) (RES) $3.95
MAY211299 DESTINY NY #5 (MR) $3.99
DEC201407 DF RORSCHACH #1 CSA EXC KING SGN $69.99
MAR211889 DRUGSTORE IN ANOTHER WORLD CHEAT PHARMACIST GN VOL 02 $12.99
APR211680 DRUNKEN DREAM & OTHER STORIES HC (NEW PTG) (NOTE PRICE) $29.99
MAY211297 EVERFROST #2 $3.99
MAR211300 FIFTH QUARTER GN $12.99
MAR211301 FIFTH QUARTER HC GN $21.99
MAR211353 FITZ AND CLEO YR GN $12.99
MAY211673 GODS OF BRUTALITY #1 (OF 4) CVR A WELSER $3.99
OCT201110 GOLD DIGGER #282 $3.99
MAR211302 HAWKING GN $22.99
MAY211866 HELLS PARADISE JIGOKURAKU GN VOL 09 (MR) $12.99
APR212266 HER ROYAL HIGHNESS SEEMS ANGRY $12.99
MAR211303 HISTORY COMICS GN AMERICAN BISON $12.99
MAR211304 HISTORY COMICS HC GN AMERICAN BISON $19.99
JUN211402 HP LOVECRAFT THE TOMB TP $9.99
SEP200987 I MAKE BOYS CRY #2 CVR A TYNDALL $4.99
SEP200988 I MAKE BOYS CRY #2 CVR B BROOMALL HOLOGRAPHIC FOIL LOGO $9.99
SEP200989 I MAKE BOYS CRY #2 CVR C GREEN WRAPAROUND LENTICULAR $19.99
MAR211892 IF ITS FOR MY DAUGHTER DEFEAT DEMON LORD GN VOL 06 $12.99
MAY211300 ILLEGAL CARGO GN $24.99
MAR211305 ISLAND BOOK GN VOL 02 INFINITE LAND $24.99
MAR211563 KNOCK OUT TRUE STORY OF EMILE GRIFFITH GN $22.99
FEB211160 LAST SONG #4 (MR) $4.99
MAY211676 LUNAR LADIES #1 (OF 3) CVR A RENAE DE LIZ $3.99
MAY211055 MARIA LLOVETS EROS PSYCHE #5 CVR A GUILLEM MARCH (MR) $3.99
MAY211056 MARIA LLOVETS EROS PSYCHE #5 CVR B MARIA LLOVET (MR) $3.99
MAY211057 MARIA LLOVETS EROS PSYCHE #5 CVR C MARIKA CRESTA (MR) $3.99
MAY211058 MARIA LLOVETS EROS PSYCHE #5 CVR D SABINE RICH (MR) $3.99
MAY211274 MARJORIE FINNEGAN TEMPORAL CRIMINAL #3 CVR A CLARKE (MR) $3.99
MAY211275 MARJORIE FINNEGAN TEMPORAL CRIMINAL #3 CVR B NSFW CLARKE (MR $4.99
MAY211862 MASHLE MAGIC & MUSCLES GN VOL 01 $9.99
MAR211894 MERMAN IN MY TUB GN VOL 08 (RES) $12.99
MAY211746 MINKY WOODCOCK GIRL ELECTRIFIED TESLA #4 CVR A HASPIEL (MR) $3.99
MAY211747 MINKY WOODCOCK GIRL ELECTRIFIED TESLA #4 CVR B PHOTO (MR) $3.99
MAY211748 MINKY WOODCOCK GIRL ELECTRIFIED TESLA #4 CVR C BUHLER (MR) $3.99
MAY211679 MURDER HOBO CHAOTIC NEUTRAL #2 (OF 4) (MR) $3.99
MAY211867 NO 5 GN VOL 01 $22.99
MAY211563 NOTTINGHAM #5 (OF 5) $3.99
MAY211125 OKAY WITCH & HUNGRY SHADOW GN $12.99
MAY211126 OKAY WITCH & HUNGRY SHADOW HC GN VOL 02 $20.99
MAR211449 ONE LINE HC $24.99
MAR211354 PAWCASSO GN $14.99
MAR211355 PAWCASSO HC GN $21.99
MAY211112 PROJECT PATRON #4 $3.99
MAY211599 RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS HOTEL IMMORTAL #1 CVR A ELLERBY (MR) $4.99
MAY211602 RICK AND MORTY RICKS NEW HAT #2 CVR A STRESING $3.99
MAY211603 RICK AND MORTY RICKS NEW HAT #2 CVR B STERN $3.99
MAY211511 RIVER OF INK TP $22.99
MAY211865 RWBY OFFICIAL MANGA ANTHOLOGY GN VOL 05 $12.99
MAR211897 SADAKO SAN & SADAKO CHAN GN $13.99
MAY211124 SECOND COMING ONLY BEGOTTEN SON #3 (RES) $3.99
MAY211113 SILVER CITY #3 $3.99
APR212151 SLASHER MAIDENS GN VOL 03 $13.00
JAN211592 SNOWPIERCER PREQUEL VOL 01 EXTINCTION $16.99
APR212135 SOLO LEVELING GN VOL 02 (MR) $20.00
MAY211132 SPELLBINDING EPISODES OF PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN TP $14.99
MAY211685 STAKE #5 CVR A FANTINI (MR) $3.99
FEB211560 SUNDAYS FUN DAY CHARLIE BROWN SC (RES) $7.99
APR212073 TALES OF TERROR QUARTERLY GAME NIGHT #1 CVR A VITORINO $8.99
APR212074 TALES OF TERROR QUARTERLY GAME NIGHT #1 CVR B RIVEIRO $8.99
APR212075 TALES OF TERROR QUARTERLY GAME NIGHT #1 CVR C GARVEY $8.99
MAY211364 TRAILER PARK BOYS GET A F#ING COMIC BOOK #1 CVR A HERRERA (M $7.99
MAY211365 TRAILER PARK BOYS GET A F#ING COMIC BOOK #1 CVR B BLAYLOCK ( $7.99
MAY211366 TRAILER PARK BOYS GET A F#ING COMIC BOOK #1 CVR C GARIBALDI $7.99
MAY211367 TRAILER PARK BOYS GET A F#ING COMIC BOOK #1 CVR D PHOTO (MR) $7.99
FEB210942 TRESE GN VOL 02 UNREPORTED MURDERS $16.99
MAY211806 WASTED SPACE #22 CVR A SHERMAN (MR) $3.99
MAY218221 WHITE #1 2ND PTG (MR) $3.99
APR212142 WHOLE HUMANITY HAS GONE YURI EXCEPT ME GN $22.00
APR212220 WITCH AND BEAST GN VOL 06 (MR) $12.99
APR211902 YASMEEN TP $19.99
MAGAZINES
MAY211358 COMIC SHOP NEWS [90CT BUNDLE] #1770 $PI
MAY211816 CREEPS #32 (MR) $5.95
MAY211493 HEAVY METAL #308 CVR A KELLY (MR) $13.99
MAY211494 HEAVY METAL #308 CVR B CARPENTER (MR) $13.99
MAY211515 INFINITE WORLDS MAGAZINE #8 (MR) $13.00
MAY211560 LOCUS #726 $8.99
BOOKS
MAY211303 CINEMATIC ART OF OVERWATCH HC VOL 02 $45.00
APR211939 CON QUEST NOVEL HC $16.99
MAR218752 ERB AUTH LIB TARZAN HC VOL 09 TARZAN & GOLDEN LION $29.95
MAR218751 ERB AUTH LIB TARZAN HC VOL 10 TARZAN & ANT MEN $29.95
MAR218755 ERB AUTH LIB TARZAN HC VOL 11 TARZAN LORD OF JUNGLE $29.95
MAR218754 ERB AUTH LIB TARZAN HC VOL 12 TARZAN & LOST EMPIRE $29.95
MAR211585 FLY ON THE WALL SC HYBRID NOVEL $12.99
MAY211916 HIGH SCHOOL DXD LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 04 (MR) $15.00
MAY211922 LAST ROUND ARTHURS LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 05 $15.00
MAR211306 NO ONE RETURNS FROM THE ENCHANTED FOREST GN $14.99
MAR211307 NO ONE RETURNS FROM THE ENCHANTED FOREST HC GN $21.99
MAY211918 SO IM SPIDER SO WHAT LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 12 $14.00
MAY211370 STAR WARS HIGH REPUBLIC YA HC NOVEL OUT OF SHADOWS $17.99
MAY211927 UNNAMED MEMORY LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 03 $15.00
MAY211579 WORLD OF READING THIS IS MS MARVEL $4.99
DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for July 20, 2021
Batman The Dark Prince Charming TP, $17.99
Blue And Gold #1 (Of 8) (Cover A Ryan Sook), $3.99
Blue And Gold #1 (Of 8) (Cover B Dave Johnson Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Catwoman #33 (Cover A Yanick Paquette), $3.99
Catwoman #33 (Cover B Jenny Frison Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Flash #772 (Cover A Brandon Peterson), $3.99
Future State Wonder Woman TP, $19.99
Justice League #65 (Cover A David Marquez), $4.99
Legends Of The Dark Knight #3 (Cover A Darick Robertson & Diego Rodriguez), $3.99
Legends Of The Dark Knight #3 (Cover B Jorge Molina Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Legends Of The Dark Knight #3 (Cover C Riccardo Federici Card Stock Variant), AR
Nightwing #81 (Bruno Redondo 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
Nightwing #82 (Cover A Bruno Redondo), $3.99
Nightwing #82 (Cover B Jamal Campbell Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Shazam #1 (Of 4)(Cover A Clayton Henry), $3.99
Shazam #1 (Of 4)(Cover B Gary Frank Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Suicide Squad Case Files Volume 1 TP, $19.99
Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow #2 (Of 8) (Cover A Bilquis Evely), $4.99
Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow #2 (Of 8) (Cover B Lee Weeks), $4.99
Superman And The Authority #1 (Of 4) (Cover A Mikel Janin), $4.99
Superman And The Authority #1 (Of 4) (Cover B Bryan Hitch), $4.99
Superman And The Authority #1 (Of 4) (Cover C Jen Bartel Headshot Variant), AR
Superman Man Of Tomorrow Volume 1 Hero Of Metropolis TP, $19.99
Superman Red And Blue #5 (Of 6) (Cover A Amanda Conner), $5.99
Superman Red And Blue #5 (Of 6) (Cover B Arthur Adams), $5.99
Superman Red And Blue #5 (Of 6) (Cover C Miguel Mercado), $5.99
Truth And Justice #6 (Of 7) (Cover A Juni Ba), $4.99
Truth And Justice #6 (Of 7) (Cover B Damion Scott Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Wonder Woman Lords And Liars TP, $24.99
Thursday, July 15, 2021
#IReadsYou Review: NOW #9
NOW: THE NEW COMICS ANTHOLOGY #9
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS
CARTOONISTS: Theo Ellsworth; Raquelle Jac; Keren Katz; Noah Van Sciver; Emil Friis Ernst; Ben Nadler; Ethel Wolfe
DESIGN: Jacob Covey
EDITOR: Eric Reynolds
COVER: Raquelle Jac
BACKCOVER: John Ohannesian
ISBN: 978-1-68396-371-4; paperback (September 2020)
120pp, Color, $12.99 U.S.
NOW: The New Comics Anthology is an alternative-comics anthology series launched in 2017 and edited by Eric Reynolds. NOW is published by alt-comix and art comics publisher, Fantagraphics Books. Over its four-plus decades of existence, Fantagraphics has published what is probably the most diverse collection of comic book anthologies in the history of North American comic books. That line-up includes such titles as Anything Goes, Critters, Mome, Pictopia, and Zero Zero, to name a few.
NOW: The New Comics Anthology #9 offers a selection of seven cartoonists and comics creators, as well as a back cover “comics strip” from John Ohannesian. NOW #9 holds to Eric Reynolds' creed (from NOW #1) that NOW would showcase “...as broad a range of quality comic art as possible...”
The contributors list includes a Leroy favorite, Noah Van Sciver. But let's take a look at each of NOW #9's cartoonists' contributions:
THE LOWDOWN: The illustration that acts as NOW #9's cover art is entitled “Nine,” and is produced by Texan, Raquelle Jac. It is a beautiful piece that reminds me of the drawings and doodles high school students commit to their tablets to pass the time or to ignore a teacher. It is a striking image, a slice-of-surreal life that embraces a selection of the myriad variations of apartment living.
“The Real Me” by Theo Ellsworth:
This is a one-page comic that reminds me of the work of cartoonist/illustrator, Jim Woodring. It has an unsettling quality, and I really felt that the subject of “The Real Me” was talking to me.
“Misguided Love” by Raquell Jac:
This story is the cover times 41. The autobiographical story, “Misguided Love,” with its garish and sometimes subdued colors, is beautiful to look at. Unfortunately, it is an ugly read. There is just too much clutter, and some of the panels are drawn as to be impossible to read. All of it is static between the author and her audience. What I actually can understand or interpret is interesting, but this is way too obtuse in its graphical storytelling.
“The Raindrop Prelude” by Keren Katz:
The story offers some of the most beautiful drapery that I have seen in a comic book in a while. The art has a Japanese woodblock printing quality, and the story involves, in a way, one of composer and pianist Frederic Chopin's 24 “Preludes,” specifically the “Raindrop” prelude. The story is composed of several single-page illustrations (for the most part), and I felt my imagination floating through the story, while also trying to linger to keep looking at the pretty art.
“Spacehawk” by Noah Van Sciver:
This story is a tribute to cult cartoonist, Basil Wolverton (1909-1978), and his first character of note, the kooky “Spacehawk.” Of course, Van Sciver's art does not match the peculiar nature for which Wolverton was known, but he captures the kookiness.
“Zoom” by Emil Friis Ernst:
At times, there is a Moebius-like quality about “Zoom.” I could see it having a place in Metal Hurlant from long ago.
“Quarryhouse” by Ben Nadler:
I have mentioned in previous reviews that I once read a review of an Annie Lennox album (perhaps, in Spin Magazine), in which the reviewer said that every LP needed at least one great song. I believe that every volume or issue of a comics anthology needs at least one great story.
“Quarryhouse” is the first of NOW #9's two great stories. A mixture of Hey, Wait... era Jason and Acme Novelty Library-era Chris Ware, “Quarryhouse” takes place over a sixty-hear period – 1989, 2019, and 2049 and involves a tragedy (similar to the one in Hey, Wait...). Depending on how one reads “Quarryhouse,” each time period introduces a new theme to the story. I also believe that author-cartoonist Ben Nadler suggests that different generations of a family are connected much more deeply and intimately than by bloodline alone. They share stories, pain, curses, guilt, and obligations, and are tethered by the need to reach across time to help one another.
“How Mums Annoy You” by Ethel Wolfe:
The 2013 Martin Scorsese film, The Wolf of Wall Street, was an adaptation of the 2007 memoir of the same name by notorious stockbroker and trader, Jordan Belfort. The film received criticism because some people interpreted it as glorifying Belfort's criminal behavior and nihilistic lifestyle. In answer to this, the film's screenwriter, Terence Winter, said that the film was about two things: people don't change, and they never learn.”
NOW #9's second great story, “How Mums Annoy You,” is a story of abuse that focuses on an Internet “celebrity” who is also a predator and a manipulator of the young women who follow him. Ethel Wolfe (a pen name used by the cartoonist John Harvey) may not realize that his story has a theme: people don't change and they never learn … and they lie to themselves and others. If Hollywood really paid attention to alternative comics, this story would have been optioned for film or television already. It is a bracing read that left me wanting more.
“Art” back cover strip by John Ohannesian:
Meh.
So, in conclusion, the cover art and two great stories, “Quarryhouse” and “How Mums Annoy You,” are what make NOW #9. There ended up being a little controversy about one of the contributors some months after this issue was published, but I'll let you find out the details for yourselves, dear readers.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of classic alternative-comics anthologies will want to discover NOW: The New Comics Anthology.
A-
7.5 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
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The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.
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Wednesday, July 14, 2021
#IReadsYou Review: THE SECRET SERVICE #1
THE SECRET SERVICE #1
MARVEL COMICS/Icon – @Marvel
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Mark Millar and Matthew Vaughn
WRITER: Mark Millar – @mrmarkmillar
ARTIST: Dave Gibbons
COLORS: Angus McKie
COVER: Dave Gibbons
VARIANT COVERS: Leinil Francis Yu with Sunny Gho
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (June 2012)
Mature Content
The Secret Service created by Mark Miller, Dave Gibbons, and Matthew Vaughn
The Secret Service was a six issue comic book miniseries written by Mark Millar; drawn by Dave Gibbons; and colored by Angus McKie. The series was created by Millar, Gibbons, and writer/director/ producer Matthew Vaughn (X-Men: First Class) and was published in 2012 by Icon, a pseudo-creator owned imprint of Marvel Comics. Vaughn directed a film loosely adapted from this comic book and entitled Kingsman: The Secret Service. [The Secret Service has since been re-branded as Kingsman: The Secret Service to tie-in closer to the film.]
The Secret Service is apparently inspired by “classic” James Bond films and the spy thriller genre in general. [I must note, dear readers, that I consider the James Bond films from Dr. No to A View to a Kill to be the “classic Bond films.”] The story focuses on a super-spy and his young and wayward nephew whom he recruits into “the secret service.”
The Secret Service #1 opens in Zermatt, Switzerland where we find Mark Hamill of Star Wars fame in the clutches of mysterious, “middle-Eastern” types. Later, in Peckham, South London, Gary “Eggsy” London is dealing with another awful night of home life with his mother, Sharon, and her English-white trash husband, Darren, and his rowdy pals. So Gary decides to have a night of bad behavior with his own pals, but that will land him in trouble. Once again, it's Gary's Uncle Jack to the rescue, but Jack London is secretly an MI6 agent, and he is ready to redirect his troubled nephew.
I saw Kingsman: The Secret Service on DVD not long after its home media release. I thought some of it was really good, but most of it was mediocre slash OK. I got a kick out of Samuel L. Jackson, Sofia Boutella, (that sexy-M.F.) Mark Strong, and Michael Caine (cause there is never enough Michael Caine). I liked Taron Egerton, but he does not totally sell me on the idea of him being an action hero. I put up with Colin Firth's character because he is played by Colin Firth. Did I mention Mark Strong?
Reading The Secret Service comic book for the first time, what surprises me is how matter-of-fact the first issue seems. It is unassuming and so lacks glamour (unlike the film) that after a few pages I thought The Secret Service was going to be a disaster. However, I soon picked up on the steady pace, solemn pace. There is something real and earthy about the interaction between Jack London and his sister, Sharon. Reading it, I felt like I was eavesdropping on some real-world, old sibling melodrama.
By the end, I wanted to read more. I'll see the new movie, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, but I hope the new comic book, Kingsman: The Red Diamond, is more like this comic book.
A
8 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
https://twitter.com/Marvel
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The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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Tuesday, July 13, 2021
#IReadsYou Movie Review: BATMAN: Hush
Batman: Hush (2019)
Running time: 82 minutes
MPAA – PG-13 for violence and action, suggestive material, and language
DIRECTOR: Justin Copeland
WRITER: Ernie Altbacker (based on characters appearing in DC Comics and on the story arc, “Batman: Hush”, by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee)
PRODUCER: Amy McKenna
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Sam Register and James Tucker and Benjamin Melniker & Michael Uslan
EDITOR: Christopher D. Lozinski
COMPOSER: Frederik Wiedmann
ANIMATION STUDIO: NE4U Inc.
ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/ACTION/FANTASY
Starring: (voices) Jason O'Mara, Jennifer Morrison, Sean Maher, James Garrett, Bruce Thomas, Geoffrey Arend, Stuart Allan, Sachie Alessio, Chris Cox, Adam Gifford, Peyton R. List, Peyton List, Jerry O'Connell, Rebecca Romijn, Jason Spisak, Maury Sterling, Hynden Walch, Tara Strong, Vanessa Williams, and Rainn Wilson
Batman: Hush is a 2019 straight-to-video animated superhero film from Warner Bros. Animation and director Justin Copeland. It is the thirty-fifth film in the “DC Universe Animated Original Movies” series. It is also a loose adaptation of the Batman story arc, “Batman: Hush” (Batman #608-619; cover dated: October 2002 to September 2003), written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Jim Lee. Batman: Hush the movie focuses on a mysterious villain intent on sabotaging Batman by using the Dark Knight's worst adversaries and some of his friends against him.
Batman: Hush opens with Batman (Jason O'Mara) rescuing an abducted child that the villain, Bane (Adam Gifford), was holding for ransom. Shortly afterwards, Catwoman (Jennifer Morrison) steals the ransom. While Batman is pursuing her, a masked vigilante shoots at him, severing the Bat-rope Batman was using to swing through the city. Batman falls onto the sidewalk and cracks his skull.
Batgirl (Peyton R. List) takes Batman back to the Batcave where his butler, Alfred Pennyworth (James Garrett), and, his former ward and sidekick, Dick Grayson/Nightwing (Sean Maher), create an alibi that not Batman, but his secret identity, Bruce Wayne, suffered the injury. Alfred contacts Bruce's childhood friend, Dr. Thomas Elliot (Maury Sterling), a renowned brain surgeon, to provide Bruce's medical care.
Back on his feet, Batman discovers that his conflict with Bane and Catwoman was just part of an elaborate scheme perpetrated against him by a mysterious villain known only as “Hush.” It seems that Hush is willing to use every major figure in Batman's “rogues gallery” to bring the Bat down. Hush seemingly even knows the people close to Bruce Wayne and is using them. Further complicating Batman's investigation of Hush is the growing relationship between Bruce Wayne and Catwoman's alter-ego, Selina Kyle.
I have only read the Batman story line, “Batman: Hush,” once, and that was during its original publication. I found it to be longer than it needed to be. I am not really a fan of writer Jeph Loeb, although he has written some comic books that I have thoroughly enjoyed. As a story, “Hush” felt like something Loeb padded with a bunch of appearances by all-star DC Comics characters. As beautiful as Jim Lee's art for Hush was and still is, some of it came across as cold, as if it were drawn in a manner to make it attractive to collectors of comic book original art. But at least I found “Hush” the comic book story to be enjoyable most of the time.
Batman: Hush the film is mostly dull. The chase between Batman and Catwoman and the subsequent Catwoman-Batgirl fight are exciting. The big battle at the end of the film is good, except when it seems to run too long – of course. Catwoman is well-written in this film, and I like the way Alfred Pennyworth and Dick Grayson/Nightwing are presented in Batman: Hush.
The character designs are mostly good, except Batman, who looks awkwardly drawn in this film. The animation is mediocre, except for a few action scenes when it looks like the people involved in this production suddenly felt energized. I will only recommend this film to fans of the “DC Universe Animated Original Movies” line. People who mostly know Batman from the modern Batman live-action films will likely not find much to like in Batman: Hush.
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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