Aquaman #16
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artists: Paul Pelletier, Art Thibert, Sean Parsons, and Rod Reis
Cover Artists: Eddy Barrows, Art Thibert, and Rod Reis
Publisher: DC
The King of Atlantis is planning on sinking Boston; Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman are sinking to the bottom of the ocean; Cyborg is becoming more robot than human; and Aquaman is struggling to save everyone. The Throne of Atlantis arc is well on its way, and by the end of this issue the true villain is revealed. Regarding that villain, while in hindsight it makes perfect sense and is almost obvious, Johns does a great job of keeping him a secret throughout the story, making his reveal that much more surprising. Aquaman and Batman’s interaction throughout the entire issue was hilarious, and it was the best part of this whole crossover event. It’s strange, but it feels like Johns changes the way he writes when switching off between Aquaman and Justice League. In any case, this issue is the strongest one to date for the crossover. Johns does a strong job of handling his huge cast while still moving the story along. Pelletier’s art with Thibert and Reis is fantastic to look at. 4/5
Batman Incorporated #7
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artists: Chris Burnham and Nathan Fairbairn
Cover Artists: Chris Burnham and Nathan Fairbairn
Publisher: DC
With the end just a little less than six months out, things do not appear to be going Batman’s way at all. Batman’s trapped in a sinking box, Nightwing and Gordon are fighting an enemy they can’t beat, and the rest of Batman Inc. are either scattered or injured. While everyone has been focusing on Joker for the last couple of months, Batman’s other arch-nemesis happens to be wiping the floor with him on a global scale. Morrison and Burnham continue to produce fantastic issues like a well oiled machine. Morrison is really doing a fantastic job taking this story international. Joker is without a doubt Batman’s arch-nemesis in Gotham, but when the stakes are significantly higher, no one is more dangerous than the al Ghul family. Burnham’s art with Fairbairn’s colors is a wonderful thing to look at. They’re able to bring a nice soft touch to this otherwise grim story. 4.5/5
Batman and Robin Annual #1
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Artists: Ardian Syaf, Vicente Cifuentes, and John Kalisz
Cover Artists: Andy Kubert and Brad Anderson
Publisher: DC
So much can be said about Damian Wayne. In the short time he’s existed, he’s been portrayed as a murderer and a hero and everything in between. Rarely, though, has his emotional side made an appearance. This issue is all about that, mixed in with a bit of boyish pride and that ever present desire to make his father proud. Basically, Damian sent his father off on a worldwide scavenger hunt to reconnect with his past; meanwhile, back in Gotham Damian took the opportunity to go crime fighting solo. What comes of this is the best Damian centered issue that Tomasi has written yet. The plot is terrifically paced with a mix of wonderful action as well as soft emotional moments. The story is entertaining, appropriately humorous, and ultimately a heartwarming father/son story. The art team of Syaf, Cifuentes, and Kalisz do an amazing job with this issue. Everything from the crime fighting in Gotham, to Bruce’s trip around the world, to Damian’s new costume looks absolutely fantastic. 5/5
Teen Titans #16
Writers: Scott Lobdell and Fabian Nicieza
Artists: Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund, and Andrew Dalhouse
Cover Artists: Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund, and Andrew Dalhouse
Publisher: DC
The greatest trick that DC ever played was telling Batman Universe fans that the Batman Universe would not be altered by the Reboot. Unfortunately, this issue tells a completely different story. This issue tells you the story of Tim Drake and the closest thing he’s ever had to a brother, Jason Todd. The same Jason Todd who has historically hated Tim for replacing him as Robin, the same Jason Todd who was dead for years and could not have possibly formed any such bond with Tim, and lastly, the same Jason Todd who has on multiple occasions nearly murdered Tim. So, I guess he’s not the same Jason and he’s not the same Tim, who’d always looked up to Dick as an older brother. These two characters are written so uncharacteristically in this issue it’s distracting. Stay tuned for Joker’s epic conclusion in Batman #17. 2/5
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Arnab Pradhan
arnab@comicattack.net
I know that Tim and Jason aren’t the exact same as they were pre New 52 BUT that doesn’t mean that Teen Titans 16 wasn’t a good issue. It was still a fun read with some really good art which I’m going miss since it’s Booth’s last one. Hell, we could argue that Roy, Starfire, & Wonder Girl’s histories have been altered a bit but that doesn’t take away from this being a solid read here. Why is it so bad that Tim and Jason have altered origins?
And how were they written uncharacteristically? They were two heroes caught by the bad guy and tryng to escape. Even if this was pre New 52 I think that it would have played out much the same way just without the reference to them being close and all that.
The art was great, and I actually thought I mentioned that but I guess not unfortunately.
But here’s where we differ. I don’t think it would have played out this way pre-52. Pre-52’s Jason Todd would have never assumed Tim would think of a way to save them. He would have rushed into something and would have probably even attacked Tim for real. Tim would have had to save the both of them, on his own, while fighting off Joker and Jason. If I recall correctly, the last time they were around each other, pre-52, Jason blew Tim up and left him with a Batarang lodged in his chest.
Would I have rated this issue differently if pre-52 Tim hadn’t been one of my top 3 DC characters? Maybe.
But for me, as a long a time reader, the “revelation” was too much of a distraction.