APoetSomeday

August 1, 2013 3:26 pm @Ghostmann - Y'know what? I think I will. A review, as I said before, takes a good deal of hard work, because it should ideally be less of a personal reaction and more of an objective appraisal of the subject's good points and bad points (of course there IS a personal dimension, but it shouldn't be dominant, in my opinion). My personal reactions to lots of things in comics ('Zero Year' for example) would be out of place if they dominated my reviews the same way they dominate my comments. However, I'll try to find a nice way to balance my personal feelings about a book with my appreciation for that book as a piece of writing/art. Thank you Ghostmann and Nightwing for inspiring me to write and post some reviews up here. I sincerely appreciate your kind words and support. @ Nightwing - Not at all, your comment was a good read (and I'd be a hypocrite if I got mad at ANYONE for overlong posts!) I actually think that the ramifications of this story will be felt for a long time to come. Ra's Al Ghul has gotten (if you'll pardon the pun) a new lease on life as a character, Talia is dead (but not for too long, I'll wager) and Gotham has (once again) outlawed Batman. Of course, Damian's death will likely hang over Batman in 'your' timeline the same way that Jason's death hung over him in 'my' timeline. I actually think that a lot of future events will have their roots in this story. The assignment I want to work on (and I can't help it, I am a writer after all) is 'Kathy Kane: Agent of Spyral' (working title, lol) that thing would have 'awesome' written all over it. There is so much potential there. BTW, I really hope it doesn't come down to 'my' Batman and 'your' Batman. I'm a fan of all iterations of the character (from Bob Kane to Adam West and beyond, so they'd really have to mess up the character pretty badly for me to give up reading about him). One last thing, I feel that I was a little mean to the Batman writing staff in my last post (and you never know who is reading these forums) and I just meant to say that I enjoy Tomasi's Batman & (--------) a great deal, I also loved Batman 66's first issue and (as Nightwing and I have discussed) I really am enjoying 'Batman/Superman' as well, so its not like I'm bereft of Batman. Not at all. I just feel that, without Morrison, the Batman Books are missing a 'guiding light' of sorts. Mr. Snyder is an excellent writer and I really enjoy his work, but as I've said a couple of times, he seems far too eager to re-imagine new character origins, re-design everything and court controversy all the time and I'd personally prefer it if he'd just tell a good detective/horror/superhero story every now and again. I get that he's turning everything around on us (and that is probably what he'll be most remembered for when all is said and done), but there are times when I just want a straight-up Batman on the rocks, without a long lost brother, an ancient conspiracy, a definitive battle with his arch foe, a brand new origin, a near-death of Alfred and so on and so on. Snyder is to Batman what Claremont was to X-Men, impossibly awesome to read, but also ultimately poisonous to continuity, weaving an impossibly tangled web and making a mess of everyone's backstory in the process. I'm sorry for saying that, because I consider myself to be a Snyder fan, but just take a second and imagine yourself having to follow his arc when all is said and done. It'd be a complete nightmare. Worth doing, but by no means easy. Oh, also - Don't forget that Andy Kubert is doing a miniseries on future Damian later this year. That will probably explain the 666-verse a little more. I'm definitely going to get that one.

July 31, 2013 7:17 pm "The superior man thinks of SPOILERS that will come and guards against SPOILERS" - The Book of Spoilers. So its finally over. My all-time favorite comics writer finishes his 7-year definitive run on my all-time favorite comics character. I thoroughly enjoyed this issue. It did not, however, feel like the end of the saga. The last few pages actually seemed to be setting up a story continuation that will either a) never be completed, b) be completed by Morrison many years from now, or c) be completed/interpreted by someone else. None of the aforementioned outcomes excite me I'm afraid to say. The framing device of having Gordon interviewing Bruce Wayne throughout the issue was excellent, (especially Gordon's little asides about the coffee), as was Morrison's acknowledgment of the fact that Gordon knows (and has pretty much always known) Batman's secret identity. This was the most explicitly I have seen this little sub-thread done since 'Blind Justice' did it superbly way back when. The little aside in 'Hush' (where Batman essentially says "I know he knows") gets an honourable mention as well. Because the story takes place in flashback, the entire issue, when viewed in the context of the series, thus becomes a flashback within a flashback, continuing the theme that begins on the cover and ends with the ouroborous snake on the last page (in place of either 'The End' or 'To Be Continued'). In a sense, this explains the cliffhanger on the last page (as well as the shocking grave robbery), but it doesn't stop me being mildly annoyed as I wait for a follow-up issue that may never come... Disappointingly, there was far too much 'deus ex machina' in this story, too many convenient devices that simply strained credulity. For example: -Batman loses his war and his life, only to be redeemed by Jason Todd. -Batman is about to be exposed, ruined and imprisoned, only to be redeemed by some shady government agency (Spyral). -Batman is about to be destroyed by Talia, both financially and publicly, only to be saved by a returning Kathy Kane (I called that one over two years ago, by the way). I'm not saying that this issue was bad, not at all. I cherish this run and, when all is said and done, it will join the O'Neil/Adams stuff and Engelhart/Rogers (amongst others) in the pantheon of great 'definitive' Batman stories. It just wasn't perfect is all. I was disappointed that the 666-verse was not alluded to in any way. I was disappointed that Damian did not return (because I was still hoping against hope that he would) and I'm upset that Snyder's Batman is now the only regular Bat-Book I'm buying (as I'm still on the fence vis-a-vis 'Zero Year'). This issue needed a little more, I personally would have preferred a poetic final page, rather than yet another villain reveal, but there you go. Overall, this was a solid issue. It finished the story, did the overarching storyline justice and wrapped up the loose ends (mostly). ...Then, frustratingly, it created a bunch of new loose ends, for no discernible reason. Having said that, the art was stunning, as usual, and the story served as a fitting, if flawed, epilogue to a truly great story. The greatest thing that I can say about it is this, 'Batman Incorporated' still felt like essential reading, even at the very end. How many runs can you say that about (and still be honest)? Finally, reading the thread here, it feels as if there is a sense of a "changing of the guard" with this issue. The feeling seems to be that this issue represents the last gasp of the 'old style' Batman that will, for better or worse, be replaced by a funky new Batman. My only problem with this opinion is that it is probably right. If you grew up with 'Post Crisis' Batman and his world, this may actually be the last time you ever see him. Frankly, I don't feel that the present crop of Bat-Books (or the creators, sadly) have what it takes to take over the reigns just yet. If 'Zero Year' doesn't pan out, DC could now bleed readers at a rate unprecedented. I'll probably end up being one of them. So yeah, a good ending, but a mixed bag as well. Its sad to see 'my' Batman wander off into the sunset, but I guess some fans felt that way when Adam West hung up his cape, others still when Frank Miller created 'Year One' and still others when they simply grew out of the Technicolor sci-fi romp of 50's Batman. Ok, Mr. Snyder...You are now the keeper of the cave. Impress me (please).

July 31, 2013 6:21 pm My LCS saved this one for me. I was excited about it (great cover), but then I saw the price tag. I looked inside and found what looked like an interesting story, but nothing essential. I don't usually say this, but the art just wasn't good. I wouldn't go as far as to say that it was bad, but I found it to be simply competent. This is fine for the odd fill-in, but not for a $4.99 book. For that sort of money, I want Jim Lee or Greg Capullo or Jae Lee or someone really fresh and interesting. I apologize to Mr. Craig (if he happens to be reading), but I found the art in this one to be perfunctory, at best. The 'Zero Year' tie-in was B/S as well, I had to go through the book twice just to find it. In many respects, Batman Inc 13 tied in to Zero Year in a far more satisfying way. In the end, fearing for my wallet, I put it back on the shelf and saved my money. I was curious about the villainess, but not nearly curious enough to shell out £4.00+

July 25, 2013 7:31 pm I agree with every point made. Aquaman has been excellent from day 1. A genuine 'New 52' success story.

July 25, 2013 7:27 pm How many of you commentators are actually Amir Blumenfeld? PS - Wheelhands, I nearly wet myself laughing at that first comment. PSS - Ghostmann, An 'Outback Steakhouse' sounds like something horrendously illicit, at least to my warped imagination it does. No, I do not want one. Not now. Not ever. Oh sheesh y'all, t'was a dream!

July 25, 2013 7:21 pm Wow! That's awesome news! I am genuinely pleased to read that. It would be a shame for any reader to give up on something so early on in its development. I think its been a fun ride so far, it has certainly earned my £6.60 over the last two months. I'm glad you enjoyed it. T'was a good issue...

July 24, 2013 6:27 pm I wouldn't worry too much about that, I think its a nice way to bring each character into the other's world. I also wouldn't say that the alternate reality angle of this story was random (not yet anyway), as this type of story has a looooong tradition in DC and usually yields some pretty cool results. In my opinion, Its kinda cool that Bruce actually gets to meet the Kents and that Clark gets to meet Catwoman in a way that is interesting and challenging, as opposed to something that could be perceived as being a bit stale. If the story was 'Batman & Superman are forced to team up to take down Lex Luthor & The Joker (again)' it wouldn't necessarily be bad, but it probably wouldn't be that interesting. Yes, we might end up with some fun "Lois, meet Batman, Batman, Lois" moments, but they'd probably come across as stale set-pieces or forced attempts at humour. By throwing the two protagonists (as well as the readers) into a totally unfamiliar situation, neither character has the upper hand. That way, it isn't 'First, we shake down Lex Luthor in Metropolis and then we take on The Joker in Gotham' and is more even and balanced, allowing each character space to breathe and explore. Earth 2's Gotham is just as unfamiliar to Batman as Metropolis is. I think the story will eventually prove to be very satisfying, at least, I hope so. I'll be interested to know how you feel about the upcoming issues.

July 24, 2013 3:21 pm @Ghostmann - Well said.

July 24, 2013 3:20 pm Oh, and THAT Wonder Woman panel? BOSS.

July 24, 2013 3:19 pm This had some really nice moments. I'm a little clearer on the overall plot this time around, but not much clearer. Still, if this develops further I can see it being a very rewarding read. The art was stupefying and the 'Earth 2' plotline (continued from last issue, in case you didn't notice), is developing nicely. The scenes on Earth 2 were gratifying and fun, the way that alternate-universe stories should always be. I felt like this had the feel of a classic DC book, what with the giant robots, meta-storytelling, parallel worlds and emotional earnestness. Really nicely done. Very well presented as well, it feels almost like a prestige book. Its not 'there' yet, but it has potential.