{REVIEW} POBB: Batman, Catwoman, Action and Sins
Rayctate
A weekly Review
by
Ray Tate
March 29, 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 have their
eyes pecked out by ravens.
Contenders
Action Comics 765 : O3333333333
Authority 13**
Avengers 28**
Batman 577**
Catwoman 80 : (
Flash 160
Gatecrasher 3
Marvel: The Lost Generation 10**
Superman Vs. The Terminator 4**
Supernatural Law 25**
Tarzan The Rivers Of Blood 4**
Titans/Legion Universe Ablaze 3
Wonder Woman 156**
World Below II 4
Xena 7
Young Justice Sins Of Youth 2**
"Catwoman" features ugly artwork and an even uglier story that scratches no new
territory in the women in prison sub-genre of cinema. From the tough inmate who
befriends the new meat to the inevitable shower scene, all the conventions are
teased.
DC must have been in the catnip when they let this issue pass inspection.
"Catwoman" is actually enjoyed by some little girls--at least when Jo Duffy
wrote it. The title features a strong, costumed female who though tarnished is
still ultimately a player for the side of justice, and frankly, the kind of
exploitive kitty litter sleazed in this issue has no place in a comic book that
can be bought by all ages. I despise censorship, but hey, let's have some
common sense.
The story does not work for intelligent adults either. I just have one question
that everybody should be asking. Where the hell is Batman! Nothing goes down
without Batman's knowledge, and I cannot believe he would allow such a
corruption in the legal system to exist within his city. This goes beyond his
supposed cross-continuity love for Catwoman. It requires the suspension of
Batman's effectiveness as a crimefighter and indeed the Dark Knight's
reputation as the world's greatest detective. I can see only one plausible
means for this story to work in Gotham, and no it doesn't involve Batman being
on a mission of space. I'll just wait to see how the story plays out and if the
creative team is smart enough to see the plot twist I'll retract my statements
regarding the story content. I'm hopeful, but I doubt it will happen.
Once again, I am forced to ask why, in the name of all that is just, was Larry
Hama forced to leave BATMAN? In this stand-alone, something that is becoming so
bloody rare in all forms of written genre, Mr. Hama uses a well-known urban
legend for the backbone of his story. However, he doesn't merely retell the
lore. Instead, he gives the legend a face and heart through a sympathetic
character who has not only far more depth than the stick-insect calling herself
Batgirl but also, in terms of resonance, can contend with some of the DCU's
more noticeable female heroes and villains.
Mr. Hama's Mistress of "Monsters" draws power from a distinctive broken cadence
in her voice, and listening to that voice, and the way it echoes through the
sewers of Old Gotham--Mr. Hama actually rescues something interesting from the
ridiculous rubble of No Man's Land--I felt more for her than I felt for
Mute-Girl; her costume though fashioned by hand also looks better and fits with
theme.
In case you're wondering, yes, Batman is in this book, and what's more he acts
like Batman! It is is the detective that leads him into the sewers. These
facts, Mr. Hama brings out naturally through the dialogue between Batman and
Alfred. It is the detective who does not jump to conclusions and suddenly
engage in a pathetic slugfest. It is the injured boy that lies in Batman's
heart that allows him to instantly connect with the young female protagonist.
It is the hero who saves the lives. It is the pragmatist who has been exposed
to far too many things than our world can comprehend that gives him the insight
to see the truth in her words, and it is the avenger who pursues the injustice
of which he has learned. Larry Hama, unjustly dumped by DC, is simply a natural
Batman writer. I haven't been this enthralled by Batman since Grant Morrison so
obviously captured the world's greatest detective in JLA, and Mr. Hama's Batman
is the only one in the continuity titles I can see spending time in the
Watchtower.
Mr. Hama plays the urban legend against something we haven't seen in a long
time--an attempted robbery at Wayne Manor that leads to some unforeseen
circumstances. SPOILER AHOY! A pair of dimwitted thugs led by a hotheaded and
amoral leader, break into the Bat Cave and inadvertently discover of Batman's
identity. It's a testament to Mr. Hama's talent that he didn't trust in the
obvious. The entire cadre isn't simply eaten by the monsters. He gives
plausible reasons for each of their dooms. SPOILER ENDS.
Scott McDaniel's artwork in the above robbery wavers in scale, but the slight
deficiencies are more than made up for with the depiction of the Dark Knight
and Mr. Hama's new characters. Mr. McDaniel's rendering of emotion particularly
exceeds the skill of his past work. The smiles he tweaks to the protagonists'
lips and jaws show surprising subtlety, and the sharp contrast of desperation
creates a strong scene reinforcing for the reader the bond the protagonists
share. Karl Story enhances the shadowy scenes beneath the sewer, and he's wise
not to darken things to the point where you cannot see the optimism brimming
from a surprising place.
Joe Kelly writes incomprehensible rubbish when the Joker and Harley crash
Luthor's party in "Action Comics." The Joker's motive relies upon "No Man's
Land" continuity which makes little sense to those who ignored the scree of
stupidity. I take it Luthor attempted to purchase Gotham? In any case, does the
Joker really need a reason for becoming a lethal pest? The Joker's insane.
Reason is his antithesis. He's also evil. The Joker's not funny. He's never
been funny, and Mr. Kelly's attempts to make the Joker funny only succeed in
inflicting pain on his unfortunate readers.
The Harley/Mercy fight badly rips-off "World's Finest" from "The New
Batman/Superman Adventures." However, this fight offers more than compound
fractures. It offers a compound crime. The battle doesn't make one whit of
sense. The DCU Mercy according to the current storyline is an Amazon. One smack
from her should break every bone in Harley's body.
Mr. Kelly obviously pays more attention to "Birds of Prey" continuity than he
does to even the Big Red S' current history. I perused on the newsgroups that
the Joker is using banana daiquiri diplomatic immunity to commit his crimes
with impunity, but this too doesn't make any sense. The criminal mischief and
property damage, if not the assaults he perpetrates in Metropolis would surely
demand deportation--which would be a fitting end since the punishment would
deprive him of his greatest toy: Batman. Where the hell are Maggie Sawyer and
Dan Turpin with his extradition orders!
Superman's in this title, but he seems only there to sneeze on hyenas and draw
more out of character remarks from somebody who if not a clone, android,
shapeshifter or one of the possessed is a real bitch. I've never hated Lois
Lane until now, and I'll soon be dropping my Superman titles if not a
reasonable explanation can be found for her atrocious behavior. I suppose I'd
also keep reading if she were killed. Maybe DC should call Hourman and Access
to book her a flight on M.J.'s plane {{:).
Peter David has made THE SINS OF YOUTH more than a excuse for DC to start
offering inferior tie-ins. Only two of those supplements--"Starwoman and JSA
Jr." receiving my highest recommendation--are required reading, and the entire
exercise Mr. David reveals had a continuity point to be made and not just a
soapbox stance on current events regarding teens.
I think everybody understands Mr. David's basic belief that the kids are all
right, but the continuity point, oh now that's a thing of beauty that I never
saw coming. Even when I fully comprehended the impact, I still felt slightly
dazed.
Before we get struck by a master of story-fu, Mr. David first opens the book
quietly between a moment with which every son can empathize. Fathers are
notoriously tightlipped beasties. Naturally, something fizzy interrupts the
heart to heart and forces the story proper to begin. The interruption however
doesn't seem contrived. Something, usually due the embarrassment of either or
both parties, always interrupts.
The amusing mayhem--jokingly rendered by Todd Nauck and Larry
Stucker--manifests in the Justice Cave. Mr. David can not only scribe drama;
his comic timing is perfect, and of course, Batman naturally has all the
answers. Well, he usually does, but there's something funny about Batboy still
being the brainiest and creepiest individual on the planet. He's even more
creepy than the enigmatic dead.
Secret and Deadboy become pivotal players to the plot, and Secret's
characterization throughout gives you an idea of how well Mr. David knows the
players. Todd DeZago created Secret. He bequeathed to her an innocence, but
it's Mr. David who gave her the history and depth. It's Mr. David's background
strength that gives conviction to her adult persona. Interesting too how the
A.P.E.S. beliefs go unfounded. She may be a little more vicious than the
average hero, but she is still the Secret we have come to appreciate.
Mr. David next brings in "the Evil Factory" from "Superboy" as a major part of
his story. Let me just say, that Nauck's Superman is simply an eyesore, but Mr.
David's dialogue and the stunning final battle between he and Amanda Spence
rises above the limitations. The Contessa, another and a largely untapped
Superman villain, being the manipulator behind not only "the Evil Factory" but
also the entire Sins of Youth storyline--one can almost imagine she
anticipating Klarion bum, bum, bum the Witchboy's spell--lends credence to the
motive as well as the unexpected twist of adding a guest-star in the second
act.
Disappointment of the POBB March 14, 2000
Batman Beyond 7
Buffy the Vampire Slayer 18
Force Seven 3 (Lone Star)
Sins of Youth: JLA Jr.
Sins of Youth: Starwoman & JSA Jr.
Sins of Youth: Wonder Girls
Webspinners 17
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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
Don2530825
>From: rayc...@aol.com (Rayctate)
>The Harley/Mercy fight badly rips-off "World's Finest" from "The New
>Batman/Superman Adventures." However, this fight offers more than compound
>fractures. It offers a compound crime. The battle doesn't make one whit of
>sense.
>The DCU Mercy according to the current storyline is an Amazon. One smack
>from her should break every bone in Harley's body.
Harley got "juiced up" by Poison Ivy during NML... supposedly she's faster and
stronger.
And if Mercy is an Amazon, how did Bats take her down so quick in the last
parts of NML? Oh well...
"I'd feel better about Justice being blind if the guide dogs weren't all
lawyers."
Frank And Ernest
Greg Rucka
"Don2530825" <don25...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20000403030341...@ng-cc1.aol.com...
> >Subject: {REVIEW} POBB: Batman, Catwoman, Action and Sins
> >From: rayc...@aol.com (Rayctate)
>>
> And if Mercy is an Amazon, how did Bats take her down so quick in the last
> parts of NML? Oh well...
Currently, the belief--and this is unconfirmed in the DCU, for what that's
worth--is that Mercy and Hope are members of that sect of "other" Amazons,
the ones who aren't from Themyscria, etc., etc.
Greg
--
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"There's something really kinda... freakish
about you, you know that?."
--Toby Ziegler to Sam Seaborn,
The West Wing, "Celestial Navigation"
Email: kod...@nervoushabit.com
Web: http://www.easystreet.com/~kodiak
Leonard Sidiski
Rayctate wrote in message <20000403023520...@ng-cj1.aol.com>...
>Pick of the Brown Bag
>A weekly Review
>by
>Ray Tate
>March 29, 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 have
their
>eyes pecked out by ravens.
<SNIPSNIPSNIPSNIPSNIP>
>
>Once again, I am forced to ask why, in the name of all that is just, was
Larry
>Hama forced to leave BATMAN?
Why? A better question would be, "Why was he given the job in the first
place?"
In all fairness, Hama has perhaps the hardest job of the three regular
bat-book writers. 'tec has mysteries and detective work to keep us
interested, GK the interaction between Bruce and the "bat familly". Batman
(the title)is supposed to be about Batman (the character) as a "superhero".
All us bat-groupies are expecting him to do that without having it
degenerate into a series of slugfests. To make matters even harder, Hama is
sharing space with a new book, and an old favorite with new, funky-looking
art and a very compelling plot. Not an easy job. To make things even harder,
the most recent memory we have of Hama is his very poorly written NML story
featuring Mr. Freeze.
That being said, Hama's Batman hasn't worked, and apparently hasn't matched
the vision the Bat-offices have for the character. The villains have been
uninspiring, and Batman's characterization has been downright bizarre. As
Loren mentioned, Hama's character shows blatant disregard for human life.
The Batman I know wouldn't knock down a helicopter (with people in it) in
themiddle of his city. He wouldn't make a nonchalant wise-crack when a giant
lizard just ate somethign in his cave (and probably wouldn't leave said
lizard there where it could eat more people). And I don't care what his cowl
is made out of, point-blank rifle shots to the head would give him a
concussion. One would at the VERY least knock him off the helicopter he's
holding onto by his bat-fingertips.
Don't get me wrong - there are elements here that work for me. Batman's
caring for innocent, defenseless people (especially children) makes sense,
especially if we're viewing him as a hero. I loved the bit with the bats (2
issues ago). Still, overall, it doesn't seem to work for me, and doesn't
seem to say what the bat-offices want said about the character. And that is
why Hama no longer has the job.
Loren Di Iorio
: Don't get me wrong - there are elements here that work for me. Batman's
: caring for innocent, defenseless people (especially children) makes
: sense, especially if we're viewing him as a hero.
That was the one thing that Hama did really well.
There's only one very slight problem with the introduction of something
like that, though. Since the other core books have their own mandates,
they're not obligated to mirror what's going on in each title, from
a character perspective, I mean.
And turning Batman (back) into a humanized character is something that
would have dramatic effect on who he is and how he functions. I applaud
Hama's desire to bring that back, however in examining it now, it seems
like it was too much too fast. It was almost as if Hama was implying
that Batman was like that with kids all the time in the past few years,
when that was definitely not within his personality.
After reading the Superman #76 ME - which I insist that many of you
at least leaf through in the shop, since the lead WF story is what
the recent WF maxi *should've* been like - I certainly don't mind
seeing the human side of Batman, because that'd mean more of Bruce,
which is always a good thing.
...Loren
Patrick Thompson
news:20000403030341...@ng-cc1.aol.com...
> >Subject: {REVIEW} POBB: Batman, Catwoman, Action and Sins
> >From: rayc...@aol.com (Rayctate)
>
> >Batman/Superman Adventures." However, this fight offers more than
compound
> >fractures. It offers a compound crime. The battle doesn't make one whit
of
> >sense.
> >The DCU Mercy according to the current storyline is an Amazon. One smack
> >from her should break every bone in Harley's body.
>
faster and
> stronger.
>
> parts of NML? Oh well...
He probably could because he's been working up ways to take Wonder Woman
down should it ever be necessary. He's doubtless got a couple anti-Amazon
contingency plans. At the very least, it's a good reason to keep his judo
skills maxed out, since he'd have to use his opponent's strength against
them.