Here are my thoughts on the comics I bought this week:
Batman #686
Writer: Neil Gaiman – Artist: Andy Kubert – Publisher: DC Comics
The first issue of Gaiman and Kubert’s “Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?” is definitely my pick of the week. It is exactly what Grant Morrison said it would be: Neil Gaiman’s take on the entire Batman mythos. Gaiman seems to be breaking down the mythos, using Batman’s funeral as a frame story, into its various eras and telling a “death of Batman” story fitting for each. The first, told by Catwoman, is a death fitting for the simple vigalante that Batman started off as. The second, told by Alfred, brings the theatrics of 1960’s Batman to a whole new level. The story is full of great moments and thematic symbols that Gaiman gently drops into place, such as Joe Chill’s presence as the bartender. He’s at Batman’s funeral, but not really a part of it as he was never really a part of Batman’s rogue’s gallery, but at the same time he is the most important villain of all because without him, how would the others know where to go? Its a great issue that everyone should read.
Captain Britain and MI:13 #10
Writer: Paul Cornell – Artist: Leonard Kirk – Publisher: Marvel Comics
Dracula and Dr. Doom on the moon. Do I really need to say anything else?
Okay fine. After the conclusion to the somewhat claustrophobic “Hell Comes to Birmingham” arc, we get a prelude to “Vampire State” that allows some room for character development. Pete Wisdom and Brian Braddock party with the ladies, Blade and Lady J discuss where their relationship is going, and the Black Knight and Faiza retrieve the true Ebony Blade and discuss what Faiza’s true role as Black Knight’s steward is. Its all done with the measure of quality fans have come to expect from the series.
I’m a little reluctant to put words – or themes – into an author’s mouth, but it seems that Paul Cornell may be drawing thematic comparisons to Israel’s presence in the Middle East with the new story. Dracula seeks and procures aid from Dr. Doom – currently one of the most powerful men on the planet as part of Norman Osbourn’s Dark Reign – while an American flag hangs beside him. Dracula displays racist resentment for Islam, telling Doom that his vampire nation can become and ally and a buffer against the Muslim’s, stressing how close they are catching up to the West’s development. Finally, Dracula plans to gather the vampire “diaspora” – a loaded word – and form a new nation overtop of where one already exists. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out, particularly Faiza’s role in it given the bit of foreshadowing that the Black Knight dropped in their conversation.
DMZ #39
Writer: Brian Wood – Artist: Riccardo Burchielli – Publisher: Vertigo
Its hard to think of what to say when a new issue of DMZ hits the stands. I’ve been praising the book since its inception. Brian Wood continues to write one of most intense and mature stories being published in comics, and Riccardo Burchielli continues to be the perfect artist to illustrate it. This particular issue sees Matty Roth continuing to find out what the price of involvement in Parco Delgado’s “revolution” really is, and the price becomes truly apparent on the last page, which will surely leaves fans uttering a collective “oh crap!” The “War Powers” arc concludes in the next issue, and it looks like its going to be quite an event.
