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Batman: Detective Comics #21
Writer: John Layman
Artists: Scot Eaton, Andy Clarke, Jaime Mendoza, and Blond
Cover Artists: Jason Fabok and Jeromy Cox
Publisher: DC

With Batman taking a one year hiatus from the present day to tell a Batman Origin story, Detective Comics is shaping up to be the lead Batman title, which is fantastic. John Layman has been doing a fantastic job with this series interweaving short story arcs with long ones. This issue brings back a handful of familiar faces, from Ra’s al Ghul, to Harper Row, to the Shadow Assassin who once went by a different name. Layman has also been doing a great job of incorporating the events of other DC books into this title, without feeling forced or interrupting the flow of the series. Harper Row, who people either love or hate, gets a fair amount of face time in this issue, and by the end of the issue has completely changed her relationship with Batman for the better. Guest artist Scot Eaton does a fantastic job with this issue. His line work is clean and he has a great straightforward storytelling style that works well with this issue. 4.5/5

Movement #2
Writer: Gail Simone
Artists: Freddie Williams II and Chris Sotomayor
Cover Artists: Amanda Connor, Dave McCaig
Publisher: DC

While my feelings on the first issue fluctuated with every turn of the page, this issue is well written and illustrated all throughout. What’s great about this series is that this team is almost completely opposite from the Teen Titans and the Justice League. These “heroes” are unorganized, make snap decisions, and the lack of any form of leadership will eventually be its downfall. That being said, they’re not completely useless and that’s exactly what keeps this book interesting. Gail Simone is doing a great job of presenting this novice team in a way that makes them relatable, because they’re not completely wrong and they’re not completely right, they’re human. It’s also great that she incorporated some more humor into this issue, because this series was on the verge of being overly grim and dark. 4/5

Swamp Thing #21
Writer: Charles Soule
Artists: Jesus Saiz and Matthew Wilson
Cover Artists: Jock
Publisher: DC

With the Seeder and now the introduction of Capucine, Charles Soule is crafting a great story. Soule’s Swamp Thing has a distinctly different tone to Snyder’s, due mostly in part to his detachment from his humanity, and that works out fantastically. He is now more confident, domineering, and is unquestionably the protector of the green. This issue sets up a new arc, even as his previous arc continues, but it’s done so well that it doesn’t feel ill-timed or out of place. Rather, the way it is set up, these two arcs seem like they are definitely going to be intertwined, and I couldn’t be more enthused about it. Capucine, though similar in appearance to Abby Holland, has a unique, interesting feel that distinguishes her. Jesus Saiz does a spectacular job with this issue. His art is absolutely gorgeous paired with Matthew Wilson’s colors. 4/5

Be sure to check out previous editions of Crisis of Infinite Reviews by clicking here!

Arnab Pradhan
arnab@comicattack.net