{REVIEW} Pick of the Brown Bag: Gotham Adventures, Big Bang, JLA
Rayctate
A weekly Review
by
Ray Tate
April 5, 2000
Welcome to the Pick of the Brown Bag. In this column, I pick from my current
batch, the most enjoyable and the most disappointing comic books. E-mailed
compliments and criticism are welcome. You may also post your complaints and
kudos to rec.arts.comics.misc. Argument is encouraged. Flamers will be staked
by the Amazing Jonathan.
Contenders
Aria/Angela 1
Batman: Gotham Adventures 25**
Big Bang Comics 30**
Chassis 3**
Green Lantern 125**
JLA 41**
Looney Tunes 65**
Martian Manhunter 19**
Relative Heroes 4
Superman 157**
Superman/Gen 13 1**
X-Men: Hidden Years 7
Corrections: Matthew Clark not Michael Clark rendered the exquisite Amazons in
Wonder Woman. Frank Quitely not Frank Quietly is the new artist on the
Authority.
Thank you: The Brown Bag wishes to thank Ralf Haring whose kind commentary I
caught on deja.
"Save them Superman, or God help me, I'll hound you through the afterlife until
you beg for mercy."--Batman
Grant Morrison is a genius. The dialogue in his last issue of the JLA carries
the impact of a tsunami. It stuns me to learn that some cannot see this
author's brilliance and love for those with capes and cowls. Here is an author
who gets the heroes right every time.
Zauriel: What makes Zauriel fly? His love of humanity. The guy is a renegade
angel {I feel a Whovian moment approaching} whose motivations are
understandable as opposed to the often alien visions of the Pax Dei. Within his
JLA run, Mr. Morrison has created one of the most unique treatments of Heaven
ever seen, and once again, Howard Porter and Drew Gerraci bring Mr. Morrison's
ideas to life in a visual detail that respects the laws of anatomy and
architecture but also attempts to skirt their limit, not to present garishness
but a larger than life majesty.
Oracle {The real Batgirl}. Why the hell is this capable superhero just putting
out fires when she has the even-demeanor to aid the Big Extinguishers of an
inferno? Apparently only Grant Morrison asked this question. Nobody gave him a
good answer, so once more, Mr. Morrison brought reason to the comic books. In
this final issue, Babs is the voice of the League, and, because she spends time
upon both worlds, she makes the perfect liaison between those in the Watchtower
and those they protect.
The Flash. Who would even have thought Wally West would one day fill the
Flash's boots? Certainly not I. I first encountered Wally-Flash in Legends. I
thought he had potential. Those thoughts vanished when I read of Mike Baron's
"hero" charging for delivering organs and, with a seeming relentlessness,
wielding a different type of organ. Yes, the book was different--too different.
Mark Waid changed everything, and for that we thank him, but it's Grant
Morrison in the JLA who knows whom is the true guru of speed. The Flash is the
messenger of the JLA, and in this story of grand scope he brings humanity's
salvation.
Batman. Would you like to know who is the greatest visual influence for the
current Batman? It's not who you think. It's not Neal Adams nor Jim Aparo. It's
not Marshall Rogers nor even Bob Kane. The greatest visual influence on the
Batman is Michael Keaton. Before he became Batman--let's face it there will be
no other--Bruce Wayne was nothing more than a chiseled face of old Hollywood
design. Michael Keaton gave Bruce Wayne a complexity. There now must always be
something behind Batman's eyes. There must be a devilish arch to the eyebrows,
and Howard Porter and Drew Gerraci give us the Keaton. They give us a Bruce
Wayne who looks forever haunted. Even out of costume, he's still Batman.
Grant Morrison brings out the power of the Keaton whisper. This is pure Batman.
Yet again, I must question the Batman fans who malign Mr. Morrison's
interpretation of the Dark Knight. For the longest time, we had nothing
approaching Batman in the continuity titles. After Alan Brennert and Alan Grant
left Detective, after Peter Milligan vanished to Vertigo, Batman's intellect
suffered while hacks pitted him against some of the simplest mysteries and
nonsensical events--that's right, I'm talking about No Brains Land.
Mr. Morrison ignored that Batman. His Batman is the World's Greatest Detective.
His Batman is the JLA's master strategist. His Batman knows exactly what to say
and when to say it. In this issue, he is ever the optimist. Batman is perhaps
the most optimistic of all the heroes, and Mr. Morrison knows it. In the
hell-hole called Gotham, Batman believed that he could live in the face of
tragedy. He believed that if he put on a costume and battled crime he could
prevent others from having to see what he saw those long years ago as a boy. He
believed that one normal man at his best can face any challenge. That's why an
angst-ridden Batman seems so wrong. Mr. Keaton got it. Mr. Burton got it. Mr.
Morrison got it. Batman is a true hero. There's nobody smarter or more
courageous than Batman. There's more to him than mere darkness.
Green Lantern: It's all about a strength of will. To those who cared about Hal
Jordan--cosmos, knows why--Kyle Rayner was and is an upstart. What's he doing
in the League? According to Mr. Morrison, he's learning from the best, and this
is the story of his graduation. Kyle must battle Maggedon internally, and when
his ring blazes, he goes into the heart of the beast and acts as certain as
Abin Sur. Nobody can deny Kyle deserving to stand among legends.
Wonder Woman. Howard Porter loves to draw her. This shows in the power she
issues from each rendition. Grant Morrison does what John Byrne only succeeded
in doing in Legends. He makes her second to Superman in strength. As a warrior
princess {not that one} she's a natural born leader, and it makes sense that
she would be the one to marshal the forces for a final assault.
Superman. He's everything wishes to be, and that's the crux to the entire plot.
His chains and despair are symbolic of humanity's self doubt, yet when you look
to your past, you find all you've accomplished. These accomplishments free you
from the bonds of your own making, and you begin to realize the power lies
within you to defeat any monster.
If the comic book industry really was dying--they've been saying this since its
conception so I doubt the prophecy of doom--this final issue of Grant
Morrison's JLA may be one of the classiest farewells on record.
"Well, Batman? Come on. We're the Justice League. You know you love it."
I certainly do.
Mike Barr doing Batman again? Bend my arm back why don't you! Okay.
Technically, The Knight Watchman starring in BIG BANG COMICS isn't Batman.
Ch'yeah, right, and technically the Verdict are not the
Outsiders:::snicker:::::. C'mon, what do you take me for! Normally, I don't
accept rip-offs, excuse me homage. The difference in this case is that Mike
Barr created the Outsiders, and he has the right to recreate them in a slightly
different image.
Psi-mage is a cross between Looker and Manta--a Mike Barr Malibu creation, but
give the man credit. His new creation possesses a slightly different
personality, and she maintains the air of a leader. Looker--whose only been
used well outside the Outsiders in Detective's highly-recommended "Mudpack"
storyarc--was a follower.
Kuttar's and Katana's differences are most distinctive. Katana was one of the
most viscous hero, DC ever allowed into their hallowed ranks, and even out of
costume, she valued her solitude. Kuttar is more of a team-player and possesses
a lighter personality.
Halo was a fusion of two entities: a auric alien entity and a petty criminal.
Hot Wire is essentially the same, but the circumstances are different.
Quintessence is Geo-Force. Only Geo-Force's main personality core was based on
pride. He was royalty and knew it. Quintessence comes from a more humbler
stock.
Psi-mage also stars in a solo back-up feature. John Watkins-Chow whose work I
complimented in Talismen has a fluid style that begins with the classic, crisp
good girl art of yesteryear but ends with a more finer sense of sinew. I do
however hate the costume he didn't design for the hero. I much prefer Dan
Zimmerman's less blatant and ironically more sexy fashions in the main story.
The difference between Scott Peterson's depiction of one of Batman's lessons to
the Flash in GOTHAM ADVENTURES is that it really seems like one. I don't know
about you, but Batman's treatment of the Huntress in the Chuck Dixon run of
"Detective" and his name title made me sick of Batman's curriculum. The key is
that he seemed to believe himself to be the superior, and that egomania never
fit with the character. Perhaps, you need to grow up reading "Brave and Bold"
which teamed Batman with all the heroes: from Aquaman to Zatanna in order to
appreciate a distaste for this superiority complex.
Mr. Peterson does not return to the good old days. Batman is gruff but not
harsh. He's not putting down the Flash. He's teaching him the better, smarter
way to do things. For instance, right on the second page, the superb art team
of Tim Leavins and Terry Beatty show the Flash twirling an automatic weapon
around his finger. Anybody who has done a modicum of research knows for a fact
that this is a major blunder. If there is a bullet in that chamber, the gun can
accidentally fire without pulling the trigger. Batman at that moment could have
and would have been right to chew out the Flash for endangering the lives of
those in the alley. Instead, he surprises the speedster and forces him to drop
the gun. Robin respectfully removes the clip, and Batman then criticizes Wally
for ruining a police sting--clearly the lesser infarction.
Batman gives the Flash the benefit of doubt. He does not believe he is the only
hero who has a right to wear a costume. He has worked with Superman. He has
worked with Batgirl when she was not his trainee. Why not the Flash?
A lot of what makes this story excel isn't as always telegraphed. The climax to
the refreshing team-up relies upon easily overlooked dialogue expressed early
in the adventures as well as Batman's "matchless knowledge of the city."
The speed of Mr. Leavins' action robs away your breath, and the timing amazes.
I love how he contrasts the photographic-still of Batman caught in flight
against the zip of of the Flash. However blowing all this daring-do away is the
art team's meticulous portrayal of Mr. Peterson's astonishing portrayal of an
antagonist who gains a conscience far too late.. Within those eight panels,
readers can be awed by an illusion of realistic movement confined still to the
animated style of the series.
Disappointment of the POBB March 14, 2000
Authority 13
Avengers 28
Batman 577
Marvel: The Lost Generation 10
Superman Vs. The Terminator 4
Supernatural Law 25 (Exhibit A)
Tarzan The Rivers Of Blood 4
Wonder Woman 156
Young Justice Sins Of Youth 2
Disappointment of the Brown Bag
Action Comics 765
Catwoman 89
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The Pick of the Brown Bag is Copyright 2000 Raymond Tate. You may of course
copy the POBB for your own amusement or to share with your friends as it is
intended as a public service. You may quote from it if you find some of my
ramblings accidentally praise your comic book project. Plagiarists will face a
patrol of Special Weapons Daleks.
"I'm half-human, on my mother's side."--The eighth Doctor
Englebert Lau
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for both Gotham Adventures and JLA
>"Save them Superman, or God help me, I'll hound you through the afterlife until
>you beg for mercy."--Batman
That was one good line Morrison came up with... another one I liked
was "Shut up Clark! We -always- win!" -- Bruce
>The Flash. Who would even have thought Wally West would one day fill the
>Flash's boots? Certainly not I. I first encountered Wally-Flash in Legends. I
>thought he had potential. Those thoughts vanished when I read of Mike Baron's
>"hero" charging for delivering organs and, with a seeming relentlessness,
>wielding a different type of organ. Yes, the book was different--too different.
>Mark Waid changed everything, and for that we thank him, but it's Grant
>Morrison in the JLA who knows whom is the true guru of speed. The Flash is the
>messenger of the JLA, and in this story of grand scope he brings humanity's
>salvation.
While I like Morrison's use of Flash, I didn't like Flash in this
week's Gotham Adventures. Flash was written more like Impulse in
Gotham Adventures, and I didn't find that very interesting. I've
dropped Gotham Adventures from the file, after 25 issues.
>His Batman is the JLA's master strategist. His Batman knows exactly what to say
>and when to say it. In this issue, he is ever the optimist. Batman is perhaps
>the most optimistic of all the heroes, and Mr. Morrison knows it. In the
That's an interesting observation, how a brooding character is an
optimist at heart.
>Green Lantern: It's all about a strength of will. To those who cared about Hal
>Jordan--cosmos, knows why--Kyle Rayner was and is an upstart. What's he doing
>in the League? According to Mr. Morrison, he's learning from the best, and this
>is the story of his graduation. Kyle must battle Maggedon internally, and when
>his ring blazes, he goes into the heart of the beast and acts as certain as
>Abin Sur. Nobody can deny Kyle deserving to stand among legends.
Oh yeah, another good moment in this issue was Kyle saying "Wohhh.
There ya go" after getting his ring fired up again.
>Wonder Woman. Howard Porter loves to draw her. This shows in the power she
>issues from each rendition. Grant Morrison does what John Byrne only succeeded
>in doing in Legends. He makes her second to Superman in strength. As a warrior
>princess {not that one} she's a natural born leader, and it makes sense that
>she would be the one to marshal the forces for a final assault.
Porter drew a good Wonder Woman, but once a while, he drew her chest
too big.
>The speed of Mr. Leavins' action robs away your breath, and the timing amazes.
>I love how he contrasts the photographic-still of Batman caught in flight
>against the zip of of the Flash. However blowing all this daring-do away is the
>art team's meticulous portrayal of Mr. Peterson's astonishing portrayal of an
>antagonist who gains a conscience far too late.. Within those eight panels,
>readers can be awed by an illusion of realistic movement confined still to the
>animated style of the series.
Hmm... looks like others enjoyed this issue a lot more than I did.
Personally, I was hoping Flash would be treated more as a competent
and intelligent hero in his own right, rather than Batman telling
Flash he doesn't think ahead enough.
>Disappointment of the POBB March 14, 2000
>Batman 577
How many more issues does Hama have left?
>Young Justice Sins Of Youth 2
Out of curiosity (I didn't read the YJ specials), why was Sins of
Youth 2 so disappointing?
- Eng
Leonard Sidiski
As usual, an interesting and well thought-out set of reviews. I don't 100%
agree with you, but I don't even agree with MYSELF 100%. Just one nit-pick
that I feel is worth commenting on:
<SNIPSNIPSNIPSNIPSNIP>
. After Alan Brennert and Alan Grant
>left Detective, after Peter Milligan vanished to Vertigo, Batman's
intellect
>suffered while hacks pitted him against some of the simplest mysteries and
>nonsensical events--that's right, I'm talking about No Brains Land.
The No Man's Land story ended in December. It is now mid-April. I think it's
time for you to let it go. Also, while I agree that the plot seemed silly at
first, it does make a perverse type of sense. Gotham has always struck me as
NYC seen through a dark glass. I can see people feel frustration athaving to
bail out a repeated disaster zone. NML was just a crazy, over-the top
exaggeration of that impulse. Plus, it gave us some terrific story arc (ie,
No Law & a New Order, Fear&Faith, Underground Railroad, and the Endgame)
Pick 'em up in TPB's if you get the chance. Until then, why not give it a
rest. Spend the next 4 months complaining about Larry Hama's being taken off
Batman or something. This one note is tired.
Rayctate
>>Batman 577
>
>How many more issues does Hama have left?
>
>>Young Justice Sins Of Youth 2
>
>Out of curiosity (I didn't read the YJ specials), why was Sins of
>Youth 2 so disappointing?
>
Actually, Eng. This is a slip up by the dreaded cut and paste gremlin. Batman
and Sins of Youth were past picks of the Brown Bag as were all those titles.
The only two that were disappointments were Catwoman and Action Comics.
Thanks for reading the POBB,
Ray
Englebert Lau
>>>Disappointment of the POBB March 14, 2000
>>>Young Justice Sins Of Youth 2
>>Out of curiosity (I didn't read the YJ specials), why was Sins of
>>Youth 2 so disappointing?
>Actually, Eng. This is a slip up by the dreaded cut and paste gremlin. Batman
>and Sins of Youth were past picks of the Brown Bag as were all those titles.
>The only two that were disappointments were Catwoman and Action Comics.
>Ray
Oh... thanks for clarifying, Ray. I take it Sins of Youth 2 was good,
then?
- Eng
robertso
Re: Catwoman 80
HELLO...Naked Chicks here...even Selina....oh god...sticky....
PeterR
Rayctate
>then?
Yes. I did recommend it. You can find the review if you plug in "sins of
youth" in the Line of Fire Reviews searchable archive at Silver Bullet Comics:
http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com or for low java users.
http://silverbulletcomics.hypermart.net/index1.htm
Thanks as always for reading the POBB
Rayctate
>Re: Catwoman 80
>
>
>HELLO...Naked Chicks here...even Selina....oh god...sticky....
>
a) They weren't really naked--the bits we consider worth seeing were
strategically hidden. My feeling is if you don't have the guts to show it,
don't.
b) They were badly drawn chicks. Better than Balent, but that's not saying
much.
c) They weren't real just two-dimensional substitutes. Maybe if Adam Hughs had
done the artwork, I would have given the book a thumbs--or something--up :).
Thanks for reading the POBB,
Ray