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Post by thwhtguardian on May 8, 2017 10:46:06 GMT -5
 Written by Tim Seeley. Art and Cover by Javi Fernandez. A mixed bag. The good: Nightwing wrestles with his demons & notes Batman is motivated by tragedy but Dick Grayson isn't. He breaks free from Hurt's influence as does Death Wing. It's not clear but it appears DW & Hurt kill each other. We find out if Shawn is pregnant & the concluding pages show some great moments between Dick & Damian. Damian admits him & Dick make a great team. And Dick laments that he & Damian did not stay together as a team when Bruce returned. The bad: I am not a fan of issues where the battle takes place in the heroes head. I am still a little confused on how Hurt's "powers" work. I also found Damian's explanation of how he survived being stabbed groan worthy. Overall this arc was awesome & I LOVED seeing Dick & Damian back in action together. 8/10.See, I liked the battle in his head as it hearkened back to Doctor Hurt's original appearance in "Robin dies at Dawn" from Batman #156 way back in 1963 where Batman confronts his own demons in the wake of Dick's apparent death. The reflection in this story and how Dick combated the same issue was a great way to showcase just who Dick Grayson is. How Hurt is able to get into Dick's head here is never really stated but I'm going to assume it was a mix of hypnotism(which Hurt used during Morrison's run) and perhaps some unseen gas in the cave. Like I said, it's never said on page, but that's my conjecture and it made the story work for me. And the ending with Damian was awesome, as again it played homage to one of my favorite scenes from Morrison's Batman and Robin:  "Batman and Robin, together again...for the first time!" |
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2017 14:34:57 GMT -5
See, I liked the battle in his head as it hearkened back to Doctor Hurt's original appearance in "Robin dies at Dawn" from Batman #156 way back in 1963 where Batman confronts his own demons in the wake of Dick's apparent death. The reflection in this story and how Dick combated the same issue was a great way to showcase just who Dick Grayson is. How Hurt is able to get into Dick's head here is never really stated but I'm going to assume it was a mix of hypnotism(which Hurt used during Morrison's run) and perhaps some unseen gas in the cave. Like I said, it's never said on page, but that's my conjecture and it made the story work for me. And the ending with Damian was awesome, as again it played homage to one of my favorite scenes from Morrison's Batman and Robin: "Batman and Robin, together again...for the first time!" Wow thanks for the clarification & info. I vaguely remember Batman #156. I definitely remember the cover. And yeah that image is awesome. I loved Dick & Damian together. That series was great. Now you made this story so much better for me that Seeley tied together past Batman adventures! |
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Post by thwhtguardian on May 8, 2017 14:43:00 GMT -5
See, I liked the battle in his head as it hearkened back to Doctor Hurt's original appearance in "Robin dies at Dawn" from Batman #156 way back in 1963 where Batman confronts his own demons in the wake of Dick's apparent death. The reflection in this story and how Dick combated the same issue was a great way to showcase just who Dick Grayson is. How Hurt is able to get into Dick's head here is never really stated but I'm going to assume it was a mix of hypnotism(which Hurt used during Morrison's run) and perhaps some unseen gas in the cave. Like I said, it's never said on page, but that's my conjecture and it made the story work for me. And the ending with Damian was awesome, as again it played homage to one of my favorite scenes from Morrison's Batman and Robin: "Batman and Robin, together again...for the first time!" Wow thanks for the clarification & info. I vaguely remember Batman #156. I definitely remember the cover. And yeah that image is awesome. I loved Dick & Damian together. That series was great. The issue itself is a fun, if some what goofy, sci-fi romp, but I've always loved what Morrison did with it, and I loved his run on Batman and Robin. |
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Post by String on May 8, 2017 16:01:13 GMT -5
 Written by Tom King and Joshua Williamson. Art and Cover by Jason Fabok. This part of The Button was better. Flash & Batman travel to the Flashpoint Universe which according to Flash should not exist anymore. Something has kept it going. There they find Thomas Wayne as Batman waiting for Aquaman & WW to attack. Bruce & Thomas have some nice moments before Bruce & Flash get back on the cosmic treadmill & leave right before the Flashpoint Universe is destroyed. They come in contact with Reverse-Flash running towards his death with the Button in his hand... Some nice writing. Williamson paired with King was a good combo. This story cemented my idea that King is good with concepts & plot but needs help with the pacing, script & overall execution. Fabok is awesome with his art as usual. 7/10.Yes, each part of this crossover so far has gotten better than the last, this time the focus being primarily on the emotional beats between Thomas and Bruce which I thought was very strong (Thomas' last request to Bruce was rather moving). Fabok continues to shine and amaze. 8/10 |
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Post by String on May 8, 2017 16:06:33 GMT -5
 Written by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason. Art by Doug Mahnke and Jaime Mendoza. Cover by Ryan Sook. This was a Lois centered issue. We see why Lois is amazing. Basically the whole town is against the Kents. Lois uses the glove Batman gave her back in issue # 10 to protect herself. It also brings the Batmobile to her. She uses it to great effect! The mystery deepens as to what is happening in Hamilton. Unfortunately the big reveal coming in #25 was leaked on the internet today. Even though Superman barely appeared I loved the spotlight on Lois. This team continues to make this title one of DC's best titles right now. 8/10.A great focus on Lois, showing how resourceful and resilient she is. The scenes with her in the Batmobile were exciting and fun. For me though, the biggest impact of this issue was in it's tone; creepy and full of suspense and dread what with the entire town apparently out to get Lois, little clue at to what has happened to everyone else and Superman making a disturbing discovery. 8/10 |
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Post by String on May 8, 2017 16:26:34 GMT -5
Jean Grey #1 - Teen Jean is seeking some peace and ramen in Kyoto, Japan when she witnesses a heist by the Wrecking Crew. Calling for her fellow X-Men for assistance, Jean manages to stall the Crew till she starts 'seeing' visions of the Phoenix which makes her fearful that her intent to avoid/elude the fate of her adult self may just be wishful thinking...
Hopeless starts off this solo character study with flashbacks of who Jean isn't, the cosmic force gone insane who sacrificed herself to the former leader who watched her marriage implode. Teen Jean seeks to find her own new destiny. My quibble here is the use of the Wrecking Crew. These guys have gone toe-to-toe with the Avengers, Thor, and such yet a teenage girl gives them fits. Victor Ibanez on art is decent though some of his youthful depictions of Jean were slightly shaky. A decent start.
7/10
X-Men Gold #3 - in essence, having learned where the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants were holding both Logan and the kidnapped mayor of NYC, Kitty leads her team to effect a rescue even though it turns out to be trap. In handling the Brotherhood, Rachel discerns the source behind this new group - Nance, the leader of the new anti-mutant coalition who manufactured this threat to bolster mutant outrage and hatred in the public. With little actual evidence to prove it though, the team warns Nance that they will be watching her and her group closely from now on...
The title of this opening arc was 'Back to Basics' and Guggenheim gave us a basic plot. While this ending seemed rushed to a degree and it's plot threads resolved quickly, without the specter of extinction overhanging them as it has been for the last decade or so, it was kinda nice to read such a basic story, seeing the X-Men returning to fighting intolerance and hatred. IIRC, this is also Syaf's last issue on the series.
6/10
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Post by wildfire2099 on May 11, 2017 0:08:29 GMT -5
Jean Grey #1 - Teen Jean is seeking some peace and ramen in Kyoto, Japan when she witnesses a heist by the Wrecking Crew. Calling for her fellow X-Men for assistance, Jean manages to stall the Crew till she starts 'seeing' visions of the Phoenix which makes her fearful that her intent to avoid/elude the fate of her adult self may just be wishful thinking... Hopeless starts off this solo character study with flashbacks of who Jean isn't, the cosmic force gone insane who sacrificed herself to the former leader who watched her marriage implode. Teen Jean seeks to find her own new destiny. My quibble here is the use of the Wrecking Crew. These guys have gone toe-to-toe with the Avengers, Thor, and such yet a teenage girl gives them fits. Victor Ibanez on art is decent though some of his youthful depictions of Jean were slightly shaky. A decent start. 7/10
X-Men Gold #3 - in essence, having learned where the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants were holding both Logan and the kidnapped mayor of NYC, Kitty leads her team to effect a rescue even though it turns out to be trap. In handling the Brotherhood, Rachel discerns the source behind this new group - Nance, the leader of the new anti-mutant coalition who manufactured this threat to bolster mutant outrage and hatred in the public. With little actual evidence to prove it though, the team warns Nance that they will be watching her and her group closely from now on... The title of this opening arc was 'Back to Basics' and Guggenheim gave us a basic plot. While this ending seemed rushed to a degree and it's plot threads resolved quickly, without the specter of extinction overhanging them as it has been for the last decade or so, it was kinda nice to read such a basic story, seeing the X-Men returning to fighting intolerance and hatred. IIRC, this is also Syaf's last issue on the series. 6/10 I didn't actually put X-Men on my pull list, but I should have.. just read the 1st 2, and I'm duly impressed. Sure, it's a pretty basic plot, but there's alot going on in the background, too... the school is actually a school again, even! Best X-book since the early days of Wolverine and the X-Men, for sure. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on May 13, 2017 19:40:57 GMT -5
Jean Grey #1 - Teen Jean is seeking some peace and ramen in Kyoto, Japan when she witnesses a heist by the Wrecking Crew. Calling for her fellow X-Men for assistance, Jean manages to stall the Crew till she starts 'seeing' visions of the Phoenix which makes her fearful that her intent to avoid/elude the fate of her adult self may just be wishful thinking... Hopeless starts off this solo character study with flashbacks of who Jean isn't, the cosmic force gone insane who sacrificed herself to the former leader who watched her marriage implode. Teen Jean seeks to find her own new destiny. My quibble here is the use of the Wrecking Crew. These guys have gone toe-to-toe with the Avengers, Thor, and such yet a teenage girl gives them fits. Victor Ibanez on art is decent though some of his youthful depictions of Jean were slightly shaky. A decent start. 7/10
X-Men Gold #3 - in essence, having learned where the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants were holding both Logan and the kidnapped mayor of NYC, Kitty leads her team to effect a rescue even though it turns out to be trap. In handling the Brotherhood, Rachel discerns the source behind this new group - Nance, the leader of the new anti-mutant coalition who manufactured this threat to bolster mutant outrage and hatred in the public. With little actual evidence to prove it though, the team warns Nance that they will be watching her and her group closely from now on... The title of this opening arc was 'Back to Basics' and Guggenheim gave us a basic plot. While this ending seemed rushed to a degree and it's plot threads resolved quickly, without the specter of extinction overhanging them as it has been for the last decade or so, it was kinda nice to read such a basic story, seeing the X-Men returning to fighting intolerance and hatred. IIRC, this is also Syaf's last issue on the series. 6/10 I didn't actually put X-Men on my pull list, but I should have.. just read the 1st 2, and I'm duly impressed. Sure, it's a pretty basic plot, but there's alot going on in the background, too... the school is actually a school again, even! Best X-book since the early days of Wolverine and the X-Men, for sure. I might have to check out X-Men Gold. |
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