Batman: Detective Comics #11
Writer: Tony Salvador Daniel
Artists: Julio Ferreira, Eduardo Pansica, Tomeu Morey, Szymon Kudranski, and John Kalisz
Cover Artists: Tony Salvador Daniel and Tomeu Morey
Publisher: DC
As Tony Daniel’s run nears an end as both writer and artist, the series remains as consistent as it has been through his entire run. While Daniel hasn’t been able to fully recapture the spark behind his run on Batman, pre-Flashpoint, his run on Batman: Detective Comics has been fairly solid. This issue continues with Mr. Toxic plotting away, creating clones, building Hadron Colliders, and all around giving Batman a hard time. The mystery surrounding Mr. Toxic’s purpose and origin is intriguing and well done, considering he was introduced as just another one of Penguin’s henchmen. The issue is paced well enough, with a nice blend of action and straight out dialog, though some portions of the story did seem a tad out of place. The backup story, featuring Two-Face, was decent enough, however, previous issues were better in terms of the plot and dialog; this issue felt a tad hectic and forced. The art in the main story was good. The replacement artists, Ferriera and Pansica, did a solid job, and in parts appeared to be mimicking both Daniel’s and Capulos’s art. Kudranski’s art in the backup is by far the most compelling portion of that section. 4/5
Green Arrow #11
Writer: Ann Nocenti
Artists: Harvey Tolibao, Richard Horie, and Tanya Horie
Cover Artists: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, and Hi-Fi
Publisher: DC
Ever since taking over as writer, Ann Nocenti has produced a lackluster, chaotic, borderline absurd series. Things felt forced, characters were portrayed out of character, and the plot was scattered. However, this issue finally feels like a step towards a solid series. Though far from a perfect issue, this issue grounds the story, focusing more on Green Arrow, who he is, what he means to the people of his city, and focusing less on whatever outlandish villain the creators could come up with. With Ollie back in town, after his mental breakdown, he is left to deal with the repercussions of his actions: Q-Core is failing and the people of his city no longer have faith in Green Arrow. Nocenti introduces two new hooded vigilantes fighting for the 99%, who, despite their lack of direction, are legitimately trying to help people. Naturally, Green Arrow is displeased by this and goes after them. What’s great about this issue is that these “villains” are no more villains than Green Arrow himself. In the issue, Ollie talks about not having close friends, allies, so it’s possible that this vigilante duo might become just that, his missing Arrow-Family. 4/5
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Arnab Pradhan
arnab@comicattack.net